RTÉ Brainstorm – Do Swedish women regard nature differently to Irish women?

Whitaker Institute member Dr Alison Herbert, of the Gender and Public Policy cluster, has written an article for RTÉ Brainstorm. The piece compares the role of nature in the lives of women in rural Sweden and Ireland.

Do Swedish women regard nature differently to Irish women?

"Those living in the world-renowned beauty spot of Connemara tended to understate the region's positive characteristics" Photo: Liam Kelleher

“Those living in the world-renowned beauty spot of Connemara tended to understate the region’s positive characteristics” Photo: Liam Kelleher

Opinion: research found that women in rural Sweden are more appreciative of the role nature plays in enhancing quality of life

Against the current backdrop of social distancing, a national plea to take a walk on the wild side throws a timely spotlight on the environment and its effects on our quality of life. But does nature and the environment benefit everyone in the same way? It seems not.

Recent research examined the influence of place on ageing and quality of life amongst mid-life women (mid-40s to mid-60s). The findings show similar perspectives between those in the rural regions of Värmland in Sweden and Connemara in Ireland, but also reveal a number of marked differences. Continue reading…