The en/gendering of volunteering: “I’ve pretty much always noticed that the tail runner is always female”

Abstract

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Evidence on the reach and impact of the social physical activity phenomenon parkrun: A scoping review

“…Six studies primarily focussed on the mechanisms for initial and continuing parkrun attendance ( Wiltshire and Stevinson, 2018 , Stevinson et al, 2015 , Hindley, 2018 , Wiltshire et al, 2018 , Sharman et al, 2019 , Stevens et al, 2019 ). One further paper explored gender in volunteering at parkrun, through comparisons across three different contexts (parkrun, cycling, leisure organisations ( Stride et al, 2019 ). Except for one study qualitative methods were used ( Stevens et al, 2019 ); Hindley (2018) used participant observation and online surveys in addition to qualitative interviews ( Hindley, 2018 ).…”

“…Two studies adopted a psychological or social-psychological frame, taking parkrunners’ reports of their reasons for their participation largely at face value and organising the findings thematically ( Stevinson et al, 2015 , Sharman et al, 2019 ). The remainder ( Wiltshire and Stevinson, 2018 , Wiltshire et al, 2018 , Stride et al, 2019 ) took more critical approaches.…”

“…The authors contend that the low-competitive, social and inclusive nature of the parkrun ethos serves to position people’s “personal body projects” as a collective rather than individual responsibility. Similarly, Stride et al (2019) argue that parkrun also disrupts traditional gender practices through volunteering. For example, tasks such as tail runner, seen as a comfortable role for women, are elevated in importance in the parkrun model ( Stride et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Similarly, Stride et al (2019) argue that parkrun also disrupts traditional gender practices through volunteering. For example, tasks such as tail runner, seen as a comfortable role for women, are elevated in importance in the parkrun model ( Stride et al, 2019 ). Further, the low commitment, time–limited, variety of volunteer roles and potential for children to also attend parkrun make volunteering available to women where their family responsibilities may preclude it in other sports/leisure contexts.…”

“…The improvement in mental wellbeing both in the short ( Rogerson et al, 2016 ) and longer ( Stevinson and Hickson, 2019 ) term is another positive finding of the current studies, but the research is yet to examine what mediates that improvement. A few authors noted potential wider economic effects at the community level ( Sharman et al, 2019 ), redistribution of social capital ( Wiltshire and Stevinson, 2018 ), and re-setting social norms and discourses on gender ( Stride et al, 2019 ), health and exercise performance ( Wiltshire et al, 2018 ).…”