Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 2017
There has been little research about transgender individuals and their needs, especially within l... more There has been little research about transgender individuals and their needs, especially within leisure settings (Grossman, O'Connell, & D'Augelli, 2005; Lewis & Johnson, 2011). Nevertheless, public recreation agencies are responsible for ensuring that all of the citizens they serve have equitable access to leisure facilities and programming. Additional research is needed to understand the barriers, needs, and wants of the transgender community. The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of transgender adults and their perceptions of public recreation. This study, rooted in transgender theory (Nagoshi & Brzuzy, 2010) and using qualitative research methods (Charmaz, 2006), consisted of semi-structured interviews with adults who self-identified as transgender. Three major themes emerged from the data: managing risk, negotiating privilege, and embodying gender. Participants stated that they felt parks to be safe places, but also described their struggles to keep themselves safe within public recreation spaces. Participants also discussed their changing access to privilege and the effects of cisnormativity, the presumption that everyone's gender matches their assigned gender at birth and is immutable. The cisnormative assumptions participants faced affected their daily interactions with others, including encounters they had within public recreation. Finally, participants related ways in which they embodied gender and were able to express themselves more fully through leisure. Practitioners who wish to translate data from this study into policy should focus on two areas: removing barriers to access, and affirmatively encouraging participation. The barriers discussed most often by participants related to public/ private spaces such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers. Practitioners should ensure that all locker rooms, bathrooms, and showers allow for privacy. As is frequently the case with universal design, this will benefit many users who are not transgender. While the best practice would be to provide gender neutral spaces, at a minimum there should be at least one stall with a door in each bathroom and curtains or other barriers in all showers. Policies and procedures should affirmatively include participants across the gender spectrum and should be aimed at increasing participation.
Camp experiences seem to have the potential to provide a significant backdrop for spiritual growt... more Camp experiences seem to have the potential to provide a significant backdrop for spiritual growth in young people. The purposes of this paper are to measure changes in spirituality for 8–14 year olds who participated in organized camp experiences and to articulate issues to consider in examining spiritual growth. Data were collected from a U.S. sample of over 5,000 families
Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, Jun 29, 2011
The health of citizens in communities is a paramount concern of parks and recreation professional... more The health of citizens in communities is a paramount concern of parks and recreation professionals. Although opportunities for physical activity have been ubiquitous in public recreation programs, their potential is more important today than ever before for all ages, including older adults. The purpose of this paper is to explore the roles of a community senior center (CSC) in promoting physical activity among older adults. People are living longer, and the number of older people is growing rapidly. Therefore, examining how ...
SCHOLE: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education, 2008
The purpose of this paper is to use reflexive methodology to describe the emotions and experience... more The purpose of this paper is to use reflexive methodology to describe the emotions and experiences of doctoral students and a professor who collaboratively conducted a research study using triangulated qualitative research data. The study was the major learning strategy in a doctoral seminar focusing on qualitative research approaches. In using an ethnographic autobiography, the authors were the subjects of their own research. Data were examined from journals kept by the students and the instructor during the semester. Four themes are discussed: learning by risktaking, learning by doing, learning by working together, and learning by reflection. The value of examining learners' emotions and implications for teaching research methods using experiential learning are addressed.
Each year thousands of emerging adults, age 18 to 25 years, work at residential summer camps in t... more Each year thousands of emerging adults, age 18 to 25 years, work at residential summer camps in the United States. Residential camp shares few attributes with other workplaces. Unlike most places of work, staff members at summer camp live with their coworkers and within close proximity to the children in their care. Some camp staff are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). Little research has addressed LGBT staff members in organizations that provide leisure services for youth. The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of residential summer camp staff who self-identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) or non-heterosexual. The study examined the meanings that LGBT staff attached to their camp experience and in what ways staff members' LGBT status affected their camp experience. Participants were between the ages of 18 and 25 years, had worked at residential summer camp within the past three years (2007-2009), and identified as LGBT or nonheterosexual. Participants were recruited through LGBT organizations and through snowball sampling. There were 28 study participants including 24 females, 3 males, and one individual who identified as gender queer. The goal of sampling for this study was to reach theoretical saturation. Data were collected through face-to-face, semi-structured interviews TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES .
Abstract: Employers are responsible for sexual harassment perpetrated by a supervisor. Camps may ... more Abstract: Employers are responsible for sexual harassment perpetrated by a supervisor. Camps may be responsible for sexual harassment between campers. Steps to reduce liability include providing multiple channels for reporting sexual harassment; having written policies prohibiting sexual harassment and procedures for reporting it; posting these policies and procedures in staff areas; and teaching staff to look out for sexual harassment.(TD)
ABSTRACT: This study sought to examine the role of volunteering in women's lives. The re... more ABSTRACT: This study sought to examine the role of volunteering in women's lives. The researcher asked three guiding questions: 1) why women engaged in volunteering, 2) whether they considered it leisure, and 3) how they negotiated constraints to volunteering. The researcher conducted interviews with twelve long-term Girl Scout volunteers. Phenomenology provided the theoretical standpoint for the analysis, and constant comparison of the data resulted in several themes. All participants had daughters in their ...
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: There has been little research about transgender individuals and their needs, ... more EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: There has been little research about transgender individuals and their needs, especially within leisure settings (Grossman, O’Connell, & D’Augelli, 2005; Lewis & Johnson, 2011). Nevertheless, public recreation agencies are responsible for ensuring that all of the citizens they serve have equitable access to leisure facilities and programming. Additional research is needed to understand the barriers, needs, and wants of the transgender community. The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of transgender adults and their perceptions of public recreation. This study, rooted in transgender theory (Nagoshi & Brzuzy, 2010) and using qualitative research methods (Charmaz, 2006), consisted of semi-structured interviews with adults who self-identified as transgender.
Three major themes emerged from the data: managing risk, negotiating privilege, and embodying gender. Participants stated that they felt parks to be safe places, but also described their struggles to keep themselves safe within public recreation spaces. Participants also discussed their changing access to privilege and the effects of cisnormativity, the presumption that everyone’s gender matches their assigned gender at birth and is immutable. The cisnormative assumptions participants faced affected their daily interactions with others, including encounters they had within public recreation. Finally, participants related ways in which they embodied gender and were able to express themselves more fully through leisure.
Practitioners who wish to translate data from this study into policy should focus on two areas: removing barriers to access, and affirmatively encouraging participation. The barriers discussed most often by participants related to public/ private spaces such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers. Practitioners should ensure that all locker rooms, bathrooms, and showers allow for privacy. As is frequently the case with universal design, this will benefit many users who are not transgender. While the best practice would be to provide gender neutral spaces, at a minimum there should be at least one stall with a door in each bathroom and curtains or other barriers in all showers. Policies and procedures should affirmatively include participants across the gender spectrum and should be aimed at increasing participation.
ABSTRACT: This study sought to examine the role of volunteering in women's lives. The resear... more ABSTRACT: This study sought to examine the role of volunteering in women's lives. The researcher asked three guiding questions: 1) why women engaged in volunteering, 2) whether they considered it leisure, and 3) how they negotiated constraints to volunteering. The researcher conducted interviews with twelve long-term Girl Scout volunteers. Phenomenology provided the theoretical standpoint for the analysis, and constant comparison of the data resulted in several themes. All participants had daughters in their ...
This study examined factors related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) identity man... more This study examined factors related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) identity management at residential summer camp. Participants between the ages of 18 and 25 years, who self-identified as LGBT or non-heterosexual, and had worked at a residential summer camp within the prior three years (2007–2009) were interviewed face-to-face. The sample included 24 females, 3 males and 1 individual who identified as gender queer. Grounded theory methods were used for analysis. The analysis found that existing homophobic and heteronormative structures at camp and in society dictated that staff manage their LGBT identity defensively to minimize harm. Identity management strategies at camp were affected by the themes that emerged from the data: residential camp context, staff members’ prior experience, disclosure of LGBT identity and the atmosphere for LGBT individuals at each particular camp.Cette étude s’est penchée sur l’expérience du personnel d’un camp de vacances lesbien, gai, bisexuelles, transgenres (LGBT) ou non-hétérosexuel lesbien. L’échantillon comprenait 24 femelles, 3 mâles, et une personne qui s’est identifiée comme gaie. Âgés de 18 et 25 ans, les participants se sont identifiés comme LGBT ou non-hétérosexuelles, et ont travaillé dans un camp d’été résidentiel au cours des trois années précédentes (2007–2009). Une analyse obtenue avec l’aide d’une approche de « grounded theory » a abouti à l’identification de quatre thèmes et la gestion de l’identité LGBT au camp. Selon cette analyse l’identité et sa gestion est influencé par les thèmes suivant: contexte de camp résidentiel, l’expérience des membres du personnel apriori, la divulgation de l’identité LGBT, et l’atmosphère pour les personnes LGBT à chaque camp particulier. En conclusion, les structures existantes homophobes et hétéro normatif au camp d’été et hors du camp dicte que les participants doivent gérer leur identité LGBT défensivement.
Each year thousands of emerging adults, age 18 to 25 years, work at residential summer camps in t... more Each year thousands of emerging adults, age 18 to 25 years, work at residential summer camps in the United States. Residential camp shares few attributes with other workplaces. Unlike most places of work, staff members at summer camp live with their coworkers and within close proximity to the children in their care. Some camp staff are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). Little research has addressed LGBT staff members in organizations that provide leisure services for youth. The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of residential summer camp staff who self-identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) or non-heterosexual. The study examined the meanings that LGBT staff attached to their camp experience and in what ways staff members' LGBT status affected their camp experience.
Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 2017
There has been little research about transgender individuals and their needs, especially within l... more There has been little research about transgender individuals and their needs, especially within leisure settings (Grossman, O'Connell, & D'Augelli, 2005; Lewis & Johnson, 2011). Nevertheless, public recreation agencies are responsible for ensuring that all of the citizens they serve have equitable access to leisure facilities and programming. Additional research is needed to understand the barriers, needs, and wants of the transgender community. The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of transgender adults and their perceptions of public recreation. This study, rooted in transgender theory (Nagoshi & Brzuzy, 2010) and using qualitative research methods (Charmaz, 2006), consisted of semi-structured interviews with adults who self-identified as transgender. Three major themes emerged from the data: managing risk, negotiating privilege, and embodying gender. Participants stated that they felt parks to be safe places, but also described their struggles to keep themselves safe within public recreation spaces. Participants also discussed their changing access to privilege and the effects of cisnormativity, the presumption that everyone's gender matches their assigned gender at birth and is immutable. The cisnormative assumptions participants faced affected their daily interactions with others, including encounters they had within public recreation. Finally, participants related ways in which they embodied gender and were able to express themselves more fully through leisure. Practitioners who wish to translate data from this study into policy should focus on two areas: removing barriers to access, and affirmatively encouraging participation. The barriers discussed most often by participants related to public/ private spaces such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers. Practitioners should ensure that all locker rooms, bathrooms, and showers allow for privacy. As is frequently the case with universal design, this will benefit many users who are not transgender. While the best practice would be to provide gender neutral spaces, at a minimum there should be at least one stall with a door in each bathroom and curtains or other barriers in all showers. Policies and procedures should affirmatively include participants across the gender spectrum and should be aimed at increasing participation.
Camp experiences seem to have the potential to provide a significant backdrop for spiritual growt... more Camp experiences seem to have the potential to provide a significant backdrop for spiritual growth in young people. The purposes of this paper are to measure changes in spirituality for 8–14 year olds who participated in organized camp experiences and to articulate issues to consider in examining spiritual growth. Data were collected from a U.S. sample of over 5,000 families
Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, Jun 29, 2011
The health of citizens in communities is a paramount concern of parks and recreation professional... more The health of citizens in communities is a paramount concern of parks and recreation professionals. Although opportunities for physical activity have been ubiquitous in public recreation programs, their potential is more important today than ever before for all ages, including older adults. The purpose of this paper is to explore the roles of a community senior center (CSC) in promoting physical activity among older adults. People are living longer, and the number of older people is growing rapidly. Therefore, examining how ...
SCHOLE: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education, 2008
The purpose of this paper is to use reflexive methodology to describe the emotions and experience... more The purpose of this paper is to use reflexive methodology to describe the emotions and experiences of doctoral students and a professor who collaboratively conducted a research study using triangulated qualitative research data. The study was the major learning strategy in a doctoral seminar focusing on qualitative research approaches. In using an ethnographic autobiography, the authors were the subjects of their own research. Data were examined from journals kept by the students and the instructor during the semester. Four themes are discussed: learning by risktaking, learning by doing, learning by working together, and learning by reflection. The value of examining learners' emotions and implications for teaching research methods using experiential learning are addressed.
Each year thousands of emerging adults, age 18 to 25 years, work at residential summer camps in t... more Each year thousands of emerging adults, age 18 to 25 years, work at residential summer camps in the United States. Residential camp shares few attributes with other workplaces. Unlike most places of work, staff members at summer camp live with their coworkers and within close proximity to the children in their care. Some camp staff are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). Little research has addressed LGBT staff members in organizations that provide leisure services for youth. The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of residential summer camp staff who self-identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) or non-heterosexual. The study examined the meanings that LGBT staff attached to their camp experience and in what ways staff members' LGBT status affected their camp experience. Participants were between the ages of 18 and 25 years, had worked at residential summer camp within the past three years (2007-2009), and identified as LGBT or nonheterosexual. Participants were recruited through LGBT organizations and through snowball sampling. There were 28 study participants including 24 females, 3 males, and one individual who identified as gender queer. The goal of sampling for this study was to reach theoretical saturation. Data were collected through face-to-face, semi-structured interviews TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES .
Abstract: Employers are responsible for sexual harassment perpetrated by a supervisor. Camps may ... more Abstract: Employers are responsible for sexual harassment perpetrated by a supervisor. Camps may be responsible for sexual harassment between campers. Steps to reduce liability include providing multiple channels for reporting sexual harassment; having written policies prohibiting sexual harassment and procedures for reporting it; posting these policies and procedures in staff areas; and teaching staff to look out for sexual harassment.(TD)
ABSTRACT: This study sought to examine the role of volunteering in women's lives. The re... more ABSTRACT: This study sought to examine the role of volunteering in women's lives. The researcher asked three guiding questions: 1) why women engaged in volunteering, 2) whether they considered it leisure, and 3) how they negotiated constraints to volunteering. The researcher conducted interviews with twelve long-term Girl Scout volunteers. Phenomenology provided the theoretical standpoint for the analysis, and constant comparison of the data resulted in several themes. All participants had daughters in their ...
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: There has been little research about transgender individuals and their needs, ... more EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: There has been little research about transgender individuals and their needs, especially within leisure settings (Grossman, O’Connell, & D’Augelli, 2005; Lewis & Johnson, 2011). Nevertheless, public recreation agencies are responsible for ensuring that all of the citizens they serve have equitable access to leisure facilities and programming. Additional research is needed to understand the barriers, needs, and wants of the transgender community. The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of transgender adults and their perceptions of public recreation. This study, rooted in transgender theory (Nagoshi & Brzuzy, 2010) and using qualitative research methods (Charmaz, 2006), consisted of semi-structured interviews with adults who self-identified as transgender.
Three major themes emerged from the data: managing risk, negotiating privilege, and embodying gender. Participants stated that they felt parks to be safe places, but also described their struggles to keep themselves safe within public recreation spaces. Participants also discussed their changing access to privilege and the effects of cisnormativity, the presumption that everyone’s gender matches their assigned gender at birth and is immutable. The cisnormative assumptions participants faced affected their daily interactions with others, including encounters they had within public recreation. Finally, participants related ways in which they embodied gender and were able to express themselves more fully through leisure.
Practitioners who wish to translate data from this study into policy should focus on two areas: removing barriers to access, and affirmatively encouraging participation. The barriers discussed most often by participants related to public/ private spaces such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers. Practitioners should ensure that all locker rooms, bathrooms, and showers allow for privacy. As is frequently the case with universal design, this will benefit many users who are not transgender. While the best practice would be to provide gender neutral spaces, at a minimum there should be at least one stall with a door in each bathroom and curtains or other barriers in all showers. Policies and procedures should affirmatively include participants across the gender spectrum and should be aimed at increasing participation.
ABSTRACT: This study sought to examine the role of volunteering in women's lives. The resear... more ABSTRACT: This study sought to examine the role of volunteering in women's lives. The researcher asked three guiding questions: 1) why women engaged in volunteering, 2) whether they considered it leisure, and 3) how they negotiated constraints to volunteering. The researcher conducted interviews with twelve long-term Girl Scout volunteers. Phenomenology provided the theoretical standpoint for the analysis, and constant comparison of the data resulted in several themes. All participants had daughters in their ...
This study examined factors related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) identity man... more This study examined factors related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) identity management at residential summer camp. Participants between the ages of 18 and 25 years, who self-identified as LGBT or non-heterosexual, and had worked at a residential summer camp within the prior three years (2007–2009) were interviewed face-to-face. The sample included 24 females, 3 males and 1 individual who identified as gender queer. Grounded theory methods were used for analysis. The analysis found that existing homophobic and heteronormative structures at camp and in society dictated that staff manage their LGBT identity defensively to minimize harm. Identity management strategies at camp were affected by the themes that emerged from the data: residential camp context, staff members’ prior experience, disclosure of LGBT identity and the atmosphere for LGBT individuals at each particular camp.Cette étude s’est penchée sur l’expérience du personnel d’un camp de vacances lesbien, gai, bisexuelles, transgenres (LGBT) ou non-hétérosexuel lesbien. L’échantillon comprenait 24 femelles, 3 mâles, et une personne qui s’est identifiée comme gaie. Âgés de 18 et 25 ans, les participants se sont identifiés comme LGBT ou non-hétérosexuelles, et ont travaillé dans un camp d’été résidentiel au cours des trois années précédentes (2007–2009). Une analyse obtenue avec l’aide d’une approche de « grounded theory » a abouti à l’identification de quatre thèmes et la gestion de l’identité LGBT au camp. Selon cette analyse l’identité et sa gestion est influencé par les thèmes suivant: contexte de camp résidentiel, l’expérience des membres du personnel apriori, la divulgation de l’identité LGBT, et l’atmosphère pour les personnes LGBT à chaque camp particulier. En conclusion, les structures existantes homophobes et hétéro normatif au camp d’été et hors du camp dicte que les participants doivent gérer leur identité LGBT défensivement.
Each year thousands of emerging adults, age 18 to 25 years, work at residential summer camps in t... more Each year thousands of emerging adults, age 18 to 25 years, work at residential summer camps in the United States. Residential camp shares few attributes with other workplaces. Unlike most places of work, staff members at summer camp live with their coworkers and within close proximity to the children in their care. Some camp staff are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). Little research has addressed LGBT staff members in organizations that provide leisure services for youth. The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of residential summer camp staff who self-identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) or non-heterosexual. The study examined the meanings that LGBT staff attached to their camp experience and in what ways staff members' LGBT status affected their camp experience.
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Papers by Linda Oakleaf
Three major themes emerged from the data: managing risk, negotiating privilege, and embodying gender. Participants stated that they felt parks to be safe places, but also described their struggles to keep themselves safe within public recreation spaces. Participants also discussed their changing access to privilege and the effects of cisnormativity, the presumption that everyone’s gender matches their assigned gender at birth and is immutable. The cisnormative assumptions participants faced affected their daily interactions with others, including encounters they had within public recreation. Finally, participants related ways in which they embodied gender and were able to express themselves more fully through leisure.
Practitioners who wish to translate data from this study into policy should focus on two areas: removing barriers to access, and affirmatively encouraging participation. The barriers discussed most often by participants related to public/ private spaces such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers. Practitioners should ensure that all locker rooms, bathrooms, and showers allow for privacy. As is frequently the case with universal design, this will benefit many users who are not transgender. While the best practice would be to provide gender neutral spaces, at a minimum there should be at least one stall with a door in each bathroom and curtains or other barriers in all showers. Policies and procedures should affirmatively include participants across the gender spectrum and should be aimed at increasing participation.
Three major themes emerged from the data: managing risk, negotiating privilege, and embodying gender. Participants stated that they felt parks to be safe places, but also described their struggles to keep themselves safe within public recreation spaces. Participants also discussed their changing access to privilege and the effects of cisnormativity, the presumption that everyone’s gender matches their assigned gender at birth and is immutable. The cisnormative assumptions participants faced affected their daily interactions with others, including encounters they had within public recreation. Finally, participants related ways in which they embodied gender and were able to express themselves more fully through leisure.
Practitioners who wish to translate data from this study into policy should focus on two areas: removing barriers to access, and affirmatively encouraging participation. The barriers discussed most often by participants related to public/ private spaces such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers. Practitioners should ensure that all locker rooms, bathrooms, and showers allow for privacy. As is frequently the case with universal design, this will benefit many users who are not transgender. While the best practice would be to provide gender neutral spaces, at a minimum there should be at least one stall with a door in each bathroom and curtains or other barriers in all showers. Policies and procedures should affirmatively include participants across the gender spectrum and should be aimed at increasing participation.