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Notes
- Abstract:
- In examining the history of the United States (US), one cannot ignore the importance of our nation’s national parks and the National Park Service (NPS). As was the cases in many other US institutions or systems, women were not allowed to take part on an equal basis with men. Through a historical examination, and co-participant interviews, this study examined the perceptions of gender equality and the role of women working within the NPS. Since the inception of the National Park System, women have held positions in all sectors of the system and the National Park Service (NPS). Throughout the years, women have sought equality with their male counterparts. Prior to the inception of the NPS women had always been involved in the preservation of the national park territories. In 1918, the NPS named Claire Marie Hodges the first female national park ranger at Yosemite. However, the vital role that women played in the function of the NPS has been obscured. Despite a considerable amount of literature dedicated to examining the role of women and their fight for equality in the workplace outside of recreation and governmental institutions, little focus has been placed on the experience of women within the largely male-dominated NPS. The following research questions were the starting point from which research was based: 1) What are the perceptions of female NPS employees toward gender equity within the organization?; 2) What perceived barriers do female NPS employees identify toward upward professional mobility?; and 3) How do females within the NPS perceive they are judged by society outside of the NPS? Through phenomenological interviews, insight was gained on the perceptions of women working within the NPS in regard to gender roles and barriers within the organization and highlighted the role of women within the NPS and their fight for equality. Thirty-one co-participants were chosen from a pool of varying ages, ranks, educational backgrounds, etc. Criteria for co-participants’ inclusion were as follows: older than 25-years-old; minimum of working within the NPS for 2 years; and willingness to talk about lived experiences. All interviews were conducted via telephone and ranged in length from approximately 30 to 60 minutes. Qualitative analysis of the interview transcripts revealed a total of 40 meaning units, which were further grouped into general themes. Four major themes characterized coparticipants’ experiences of gender equity and the perception of women within the organization - 1) Gender Equity; 2) Opportunity; 3) Work/Life Balance; and 4) Affinity for the NPS Mission. Sub-themes such as Equality, Good ol’ Boys Network, Opportunity, Sacrifice, and Pride emerged from the four main themes. Affinity for the NPS Mission served as the foundation from which all themes relating to the coparticipants’ experienced emerged. The results of this study provide a strong foundation for additional research on females working within the NPS, and in other historically, male-dominated organizations and jobs. The experiences of female NPS employees are very similar to those of other women in leisure and/or sport-related professions, as women who partake in professions that were once, or are still, male-dominated are exposed to discrimination and inequality. Further study is needed to compare the experiences of males and females within the respective ranks. Finally, future studies should include research, which examines the effects of moving from location to location, in order to achieve career advancement, as well as research on cultural/regional differences in different parts of the country. Co- participants’ comments suggest that although female NPS employees are relatively well-represented within the NPS, they are generally regarded as being in historically male-dominated territory.
- Thesis:
- Thesis (M.S.)--Barry University, 2016.
- Bibliography:
- Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-85).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Barry University
- Holding Location:
- Barry University Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Christina Marie Grate. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
- Resource Identifier:
- SB482.A4 G73 2016_GrateChristinaMarie ( BU-Local )
- Classification:
- SB482.A4 G73 2016 ( lcc )
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