Women's perceptions of a wilderness experience in a women only setting

Abstract

This research examines women's perceptions of a wilderness experience in a women only setting. lt has been undertaken using a qualitative interpretive methodology and is a feminist ethnography. Women were studied in isolation to men, enabling them to experience and appreciate themselves as women. The research is based on a series of interviews with nine participants of WomenÏrek. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded and analysed, and the central themes which emerged substantiate the conclusions. The research provides evidence of women's personal growth and development when in a wilderness environment. This growth is in the physical, emotional, psychological, relational and spiritual realms. The results of this research include findings of how women's perception of gender relations differ when they are in a women only setting; how women understand and experience the wilderness domain; the discovery of a connection between a women's inner wilderness and the external wilderness; how women appreciate a wilderness experience as a leisure experience; and women's changed perceptions of self and others. The findings from this study show that women's feelings about the environment are merged with feelings about themsefves. Women instinctively know that the wilderness is a place for self renewal and rejuvenation; it has a cathartic, therapeutic and transformative effect upon them. There is evidence that personal growth is transferable from the wilderness setting to the domestic, work and world sphere, demonstrating that a wilderness experience in a women only setting can enable lasting change to take place in women's lives. A distinct women's experience of wilderness emerges from this research. Male knowledge assumptions about the experience of leisure and wilderness are challenged by women's perceptions of their experience and reality. Mentorships, in the form of role modelling, are found to operate in the women only setting and relationships with others are centralto each woman's experience of wilderness. Bonding between women is noted as a phenomena of the women only wilderness experience. lncluded in this study are a number of recommendations pertaining to practices, policies, programmes, education, training and the integration of Aboriginal Culture as well as implications for future research.