The Inequitable Years: Backcountry Experiences After Pregnancy

Abstract

Summary Motherhood brings exciting changes and challenges. All at once you experience changes to family dynamics, priorities, work-life balance, and your leisure. In the case of outdoor leisure participation, a mother’s ability to participate is largely influenced by the age of your child, your physical stamina, and emotional or psychological ability to handle, expect, plan, and adapt to your child’s and your own changing needs during participation. Specifically, this is true in activities that take place in remote, or backcountry settings as opposed to urban or near-urban settings. Accessibility is limited to moms who can take on (and financially afford) to carry their child on their back for long periods at a time. Few trail systems, that are not located inside conservation areas or parks, are designed with accessibility in mind. For any parent, this includes not being stroller friendly. Social media is abundant with “hacks” for the once outdoorsy moms to get back outside with their kids but, unless you have the resources and time, this often is not realistic until you have an independently mobile child. Moms looking to participate in outdoor leisure with infants are subject to extensive costs, planning, and high levels of fitness to be able to enjoy outdoor spaces and wellbeing benefits. In this case study, I offer a reflection of my experience trying to re-enter the world of back-country hiking with an infant. I consider the financial, physical, and psychological constraints faced when trying to “belong” in the outdoors, in this new phase of life. Information © CAB International 2024