WOMEN IN THE ANTARCTIC: RISK-TAKING AND SOCIAL CONSEOUENCES

• Main Authors: Esther D. Rothblum, Jessica F. Morris, Jacqueline S
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.613.6140; http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~rothblum/doc_pdf/procrastination/Women_in_the_Antarctic.pdf

Research has indicated that women tend to avoid activities that may result in the possibility of failure, and that women predominate in fear of failure while men are more likely to engage in risk-taking. What is fearful about failure seems to be the potential negative social consequences, and women are socialized to value social support. In order to investigate risk-taking among women, the present study interviewed 36 women who had recently returned from the Antarctic. Women who go to the Antarctic are in nontraditional roles (scientists in male-dominated fields, Navy personnel, or civilian support staff). Results indicated that the participants tended to compare their Antarctic experience to even riskier situations, so that it seemed safe in comparison. There was a discrepancy in the types of risks that women perceived before going with those that actually occurred when they were in the Antarctic, and a sense that some women used denial as a coping strategy. Most people, including friends, family members, and co-workers, were supportive of the women's decision to go to the Antarctic. About half the women had some lack of support (often from mothers) but were able to overcome interpersonal barriers to take the risk of travelling and working in the Antarctic. Psychological research has been conducted in the Antarctic since the 1950s and has examined factors that contribute t o stress and adjustment o f the people w h o live and work "on the ice " (see