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Contemporary Approaches to Outdoor Learning pp 101–115Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

‘A Sea of Men’: Supporting Men as Fathers Through Outdoor Learning Experiences

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Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Alternative Education ((PSAE))

Abstract

This chapter explores how outdoor learning practitioners might begin to address issues of hegemonic masculinity which remain prevalent in society and within the sector. The chapter focuses on fathers who attend dads’ group activities in two Forest School settings in the UK and analyses how the six female staff in this study sensitively manage masculinities in the field. While the chapter presents findings from a small-scale study of community-based parenting initiatives, the author draws attention to the wider implications for practice and debates in the outdoor learning sector as a whole.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    These are part of The Dangerous Dads Network, a social enterprise that I established in 2007 in partnership with the national charity Action for Children. The ‘Dangerous Dads’ model is one based on active, fun and challenging events for father figures from all backgrounds and ages, with their children, daughters as well as sons (www.dangerousdads.org.uk). While I am involved in the Network, the life stories of interview participants were unknown to me prior to the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plymouth Marjon University, Plymouth, UK

    Ian Blackwell

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  1. Ian Blackwell
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  1. Institute of Education, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK

    Roger Cutting

  2. Institute of Education, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK

    Rowena Passy

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Blackwell, I. (2022). ‘A Sea of Men’: Supporting Men as Fathers Through Outdoor Learning Experiences. In: Cutting, R., Passy, R. (eds) Contemporary Approaches to Outdoor Learning. Palgrave Studies in Alternative Education. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85095-1_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85095-1_8

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