Negotiating gender, body, and identity: Women’s experiences in nature lovers organizations and societal perceptions in Makassar

Nur Atikah Hijrah Maemunah R; Safriadi Safriadi

doi:10.55942/pssj.v5i7.458

Authors

Nur Atikah Hijrah Maemunah R Universitas Hasanuddin
Safriadi Safriadi Universitas Hasanuddin

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55942/pssj.v5i7.458

Keywords:

Women, Adventure, Nature Lover Organization, Outlook

Abstract

This study explores how women engaged in adventurous activities within university-based nature lovers’ organizations in Makassar construct knowledge, interpret their bodies, and navigate societal perceptions. Employing a qualitative approach, this study draws on participant observations and in-depth interviews to examine women’s lived experiences in contexts traditionally dominated by men. The findings reveal that women’s knowledge manifests in three interconnected domains: understanding organizational culture and their motivations for joining; engaging in adventure education through experiential learning and skill development; and performing adventure activities while adapting to physical and social challenges. Women articulate the ambivalent meanings of their bodies, which they simultaneously view as obstacles requiring discipline and as sites of empowerment through training and resilience. Despite bodily changes that diverge from idealized feminine norms, these women continue to assert their identities as women, both through their appearance in public spaces and their preparation for field activities. This study highlights the complex negotiations of gender, body, and identity among women’s adventurers, situated within broader cultural constructions and societal expectations.

Author Biographies

Nur Atikah Hijrah Maemunah R, Universitas Hasanuddin

Nur Atikah Hijrah Maemunah R was born in Ujung Pandang on May 23, 1997. She came from the city of Makassar, South Sulawesi. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Anthropology at Hasanuddin University and is in her sixth semester. She completed her undergraduate studies in the same field and graduated in 2020. In addition to being a student, Nur Atikah is a prospective Civil Servant (ASN) working within the provincial government of Southeast Sulawesi. She serves at the Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Agency (DPMPTSP) of Southeast Sulawesi with the position of First Expert Planner.

Safriadi Safriadi, Universitas Hasanuddin

Safriadi is a lecturer in anthropology at Hasanuddin University (Unhas) and serves as a thesis advisor for this study. He was born on June 5, 1974. He had previously served as the Head of the Department of Anthropology at Unhas from 2016 to 2021. In addition, he is actively engaged in research and writing, including his work titled "Balia: Ethnography of the Traditional Medicine System of the Kaili People of the Palu Valley."

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