What is the relationship between gender, connection to nature, stewardship, and environmental career aspirations? Implications for the field of environmental education.
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| Title: | What is the relationship between gender, connection to nature, stewardship, and environmental career aspirations? Implications for the field of environmental education. |
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| Authors: | Beck, Samantha1 (AUTHOR), Coleman, Kimberly2 (AUTHOR) kimberly.coleman@uvm.edu, Kara, Jillian3 (AUTHOR), Walls, Leon2 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Environmental Education Research. Sep2025, Vol. 31 Issue 9, p1801-1817. 17p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Gender, *Environmental education, *Vocational interests, *Discrimination (Sociology), *High school students, Environmental responsibility |
| Geographic Terms: | United States |
| Abstract: | This paper explores the factors that are likely to motivate members of the future workforce, namely high school students from the United States who are actively considering their career goals. We surveyed 382 high school students participating in a career readiness program to assess their connection to nature (CTN), environmental stewardship, and environmental career aspirations. We analyzed this survey data to 1) test prevailing theories about the connection between CTN and career aspirations, and 2) explore differences along gender identity. Women and gender diverse (WGD) individuals in our sample experience higher CTN and stewardship values when compared to their male peers, but the same levels of career aspiration. Further, our results demonstrate that, while CTN and environmental stewardship did indeed impact our respondents' aspirations towards an environmental career, gender also had a significant effect. We discuss the potential reasons for our findings, including exploring known barriers in career aspirations among WGD folks, such as early gender stereotypes and explicit discrimination. We then explore the potential of environmental education as a mediator for these troubling trends. We encourage future scholarship to build on our work and contribute towards the creation of a more equitable and impactful environmental workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Education Research Complete |
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