Gendered Boomtown Impacts: a Social Service Perspective on Experiences of Women in Resource Extraction Communities by Madison C
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Running head: GENDERED BOOMTOWN IMPACTS Gendered Boomtown Impacts: A Social Service Perspective on Experiences of Women in Resource Extraction Communities by Madison Charman A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Criminology Criminology Program/Faculty of Social Science and Humanities/Ontario Tech University Ontario Tech University Oshawa, Ontario, Canada December 2019 © Madison Charman, 2019 GENDERED BOOMTOWN IMPACTS THESIS EXAMINATION INFORMATION Submitted by: Madison Charman Master of Arts in Criminology Thesis title: Gendered Boomtown Impacts: A Social Service Perspective on Experiences of Women in Resource Extraction Communities An oral defense of this thesis took place on December 6, 2019 in front of the following examining committee: Examining Committee: Chair of Examining Committee Dr. Steven Downing Research Supervisor Dr. Christopher O’Connor Research Co-supervisor Examining Committee Member Dr. Barbara Perry Thesis Examiner Dr. F. Matt Jones, University of Central Oklahoma The above committee determined that the thesis is acceptable in form and content and that a satisfactory knowledge of the field covered by the thesis was demonstrated by the candidate during an oral examination. A signed copy of the Certificate of Approval is available from the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. ii ABSTRACT The natural resource industry is dynamic, unpredictable, and unconventional. Past research on this industry has examined ‘boomtown impacts’ such has challenges to community cohesion, infrastructure issues, and crime, but few have examined the gendered impacts of the resource industry. Therefore, this thesis examines the gendered impacts associated with resource boomtowns by exploring how the industry impacts women’s lives, what women are impacted, and what resources need to be put in place for women in boomtowns. In exploring gendered impacts, this thesis draws on Connell’s and Messerschmidt’s theorizing on gender, masculinities and emphasized femininity and in-depth interviews with 10 social service workers. The findings indicate that economic dependence, family impacts, and lack of affordable housing are the largest challenges facing women in boomtown communities. This thesis also discusses recommendations offered by social service professionals to improve the lives of women in resource extraction communities and urges future research in this area. Keywords: Gendered boomtown impacts; women; oil and gas; extraction; masculinities iii GENDERED BOOMTOWN IMPACTS AUTHOR’S DECLARATION I hereby declare that this thesis consists of original work of which I have authored. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I authorize the University of Ontario Institute of Technology to lend this thesis to other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. I further authorize University of Ontario Institute of Technology to reproduce this thesis by photocopying or by other means, in total or in part, at the request of other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. I understand that my thesis will be made electronically available to the public. The research work in this thesis that was performed in compliance with the regulations of Ontario Tech’s Research Ethics Board/Animal Care Committee under #14998. Madison Charman iv GENDERED BOOMTOWN IMPACTS STATEMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS I hereby certify that I am the sole author of this thesis and that no part of this thesis has been published or submitted for publication. I have used standard referencing practices to acknowledge ideas, research techniques, or other materials that belong to others. Furthermore, I hereby certify that I am the sole source of the creative works and/or inventive knowledge described in this thesis. v GENDERED BOOMTOWN IMPACTS DEDICATION I dedicate this thesis to all the women who have felt these impacts and to those who tirelessly continue to advocate for women’s wellbeing in resource extraction communities. vi GENDERED BOOMTOWN IMPACTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First, I would like to thank my participants. Not only for the work they do through advocating for women, but also for taking time to share their knowledge with me. This project would not exist without your expertise and experiences. Thank you for being so understanding, and for allowing me to be a small part of the fight for women in resource extraction communities. I would also like to that Dr. Christopher O’Connor. Thank you for supporting me and giving me your vote of confidence – without that I would not have been able to tackle this thesis. You’ve been extremely supportive and I thank you immensely for being my soundboard and reality (and grammar!) check. I would also like to thank Dr. Barbara Perry for agreeing to be my committee member for this thesis. Thank you for your invaluable input and help, and for also being such a strong role model for me as a young woman in academia. Lastly, I would like to that my family and friends. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for supporting me and pushing me even through all the roadblocks faced in the last 2 years. This thesis would not exist if it wasn’t for you. Dad, thank you for your words of encouragement and your unfailing support in me, even when you have no clue what I’m writing about. Mom, you have been my rock throughout my Master’s and entire educational career. Thank you for being that push and voice of reason during my moments of doubt. Thank you to my grandparents and extended family who constantly showed so much enthusiasm in my research and offered words of encouragement. Lastly, to my best friends, thank you for all the ‘you’ve got this,’ and ‘you go Mads’. Your comments and support mean more than you know. Thank you to all those who have helped, listened, pushed, and supported me throughout this journey. vii GENDERED BOOMTOWN IMPACTS TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... iii AUTHOR’S DECLARATION ...................................................................................................... iv STATEMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS ......................................................................................... v DEDICATION .............................................................................................................................. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................... vii TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................ viii LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ ix CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Boomtowns and Pop Culture: Issues Raised .................................................................................. 4 1.2 Boomtowns in Academia: The Gaps ................................................................................................ 5 1.3 Research Questions and Thesis Roadmap ...................................................................................... 6 Following this ....................................................................................................................................................... 7 CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL APPROACHES AND PAST LITERATURE........................... 9 2.1 Theoretical Approaches .................................................................................................................... 9 2.1.1 Hegemonic Masculinity and Boomtowns .................................................................................................. 16 2.1.2 Intersectionality ......................................................................................................................................... 17 2.2 Contemporary Boomtown Literature ........................................................................................... 19 2.2.1 Boomtown Culture ..................................................................................................................................... 19 2.2.2 Blowing Off Steam and Frontier Culture .................................................................................................. 22 2.2.3 Boomtown Infrastructure Challenges........................................................................................................ 26 2.3 Gendered Impacts in Boomtown Literature ................................................................................. 28 2.3.1 Economic Hardships ................................................................................................................................. 28 2.3.2 Violence ..................................................................................................................................................... 33 2.3.3 Mental and Sexual Health ......................................................................................................................... 36 2.4 Concluding Remarks ....................................................................................................................... 38 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY ..............................................................................................