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Do you think outdoor media accurately portrays the people who are participating in outdoor recreation?
First, let’s look at some numbers. Almost half (49%) of the U.S. population over the age of 6 participated in outdoor rec at least once in 2017.
Curious about how that breaks down? This graph is from the 2018 Outdoor Participation Report from @OIA.
Curious about how that breaks down? This graph is from the 2018 Outdoor Participation Report from @OIA.
Now here are some takeaways from studies examining ad space in some outdoor magazines (over various pubs and years):
-24.5-46% of ads show women (based on a gender binary)
-99.8% appeared able-bodied
-1.4-5.8% of ads showed non-White people (judged by appearance alone)
-24.5-46% of ads show women (based on a gender binary)
-99.8% appeared able-bodied
-1.4-5.8% of ads showed non-White people (judged by appearance alone)
Something doesn’t appear to ad(d) up and I think data collection could get more inclusive. But why does this matter?
The “Great Outdoors” in the US has a reputation as something that helped “us” identify with qualities of strength and domination - it’s a space with traditional masculine qualities.
BUT that doesn’t sit with all of us and can make people feel like they don’t belong.
BUT that doesn’t sit with all of us and can make people feel like they don’t belong.
Even our National Parks, theoretically established for “all” Americans to enjoy, don’t make all feel welcome.
I’m presenting this as somebody who enjoys planning trips around visiting National Parks - so I’m not the expert. This is cited in multiple papers - this is one
I’m presenting this as somebody who enjoys planning trips around visiting National Parks - so I’m not the expert. This is cited in multiple papers - this is one
First of all remember in the U.S. we’re talking about stolen land.
Now let’s talk about some common barriers: cost, safety, accessibility, geography, other responsibilities, systems facilitating marginalization of communities. The list goes on!
Now let’s talk about some common barriers: cost, safety, accessibility, geography, other responsibilities, systems facilitating marginalization of communities. The list goes on!
We know outdoor physical activity has lots of benefits - physical health, mental health, education, active citizenship, social health, and more. Everybody who wants to achieve these benefits should be able to.
We’ve got to work to decrease these disparities, but media plays a role in how people can see themselves fitting into the outdoors and they can do better!
We’ve seen that media can be slow to change - but the good news is we have social media on our side! Follow groups like @OutdoorAfro @Melaninbasecamp @womenwhohike @SheExplores and @outdoorsforall for a good start.
So if you enjoy getting outdoors and like to share your experiences on social media, you’re already participating. Let’s call on bigger companies to do so too.
Just as a disclaimer, this is part of a project for #phdlife! Happy to engage, but wanted to note this is based on academic sources. More info is definitely out there and hopefully more from me to come in the future. 
