Gender, green space and wellbeing

How are the wellbeing effects of different kinds of green spaces mediated by gender

Project aim 

This project aims to understand the relationship between gender, wellbeing and greenspace. It is funded through the Scottish Government and runs from 2011 until 2016. It is part of the RESAS Theme 8 WP8.3 work on ‘Understanding the interdependencies between rural and urban areas’.

Project objectives

To understand how the wellbeing effects of different kinds of green spaces are mediated by gender.

Methodology

Participant observation, in-depth semi-structured interviews, visual methods and walking interviews with members of a conservation group in Dundee.

Preliminary findings

• Engagements with green space are mediated through social groups of both men and women.
• Women’s motivation for engagement would seem to be intrinsic, that is, related to environmental concerns, and a close attachment to place.
• Men seem to engage for more social reasons; nature enables them to do other things (fishing, photography).
• Gender is mediated by other forms of social identity such as age, ability, socio-economic status, so it is difficult if not impossible to untangle gender from these other aspects of identity.
• Women have traditionally been closely associated with nature and with nurturing.

Staff involved

Liz Dinnie [1], Mags Currie [2], Petra Lackova [3]