Understanding Older Adolescent Girls’ Perceptions of the Relationship Between Nature and Physical Activity

Abstract

Over time, as older adolescent girls age they become susceptible to a decline in physical activity. This decrease may be due to gender norms and stereotypes faced by women, which often centre on their bodies. In addition, older adolescent girls’ connection with nature may also be affected by gender norms and stereotypes, as nature is often perceived as a masculine space where man-dominated activities, such as hunting and fishing, are performed. As nature and PA have historically been associated with masculinity, adolescent girls may experience challenges when connecting nature and PA. The purpose of this study was to explore how older adolescent girls’ relationship between nature and PA is influenced by gender norms and stereotypes. A constructivist worldview with a feminist qualitative descriptive approach was utilized as the methodology for this study. To explore the perceptions of ten older adolescent girls reflexive thematic analysis was used. Results suggest that girls’ environments can influence their relationship between nature and PA, connecting nature and PA promotes wellbeing for girls, connecting nature and PA provides adolescent girls’ with a sense of connection, and exposure to stereotypes' influences adolescent girls’ connection with nature and PA. Study findings highlight that adolescent girls have a positive perception toward their relationship with nature and PA, as they actively chose to connect nature and PA; however they are mindful of gender norms and stereotypes. Findings from this study may provide an opportunity to better understand how older adolescent girls’ relationship between nature and PA is influenced by gender norms and stereotypes.