Gender Differences Connected to Place Attachment - Research Paper Example

As expected, there were gender differences connected to place attachment and from the interviews, there were free various free associations coded, which are represented in the frequency table in figure 1. -76200076327000According to the results, all gender differences and placement attachment associations can be classified into 21 distinct codes for the London dwellers as shown in the frequency coding graph in figure 1. For this reason, it can be derived that there were gender differences in all the codes used. The codes can be expressed as percentages as shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1: Code Percentages of Frequency Per Participant

% Of Frequency Per Participant

Female Male

Codes Concrete jungle vs. nature 66.7 33.3

Open spaces and parks 62.5 37.5

Architecture and infrastructure 54.2 58.3

Culture, history and art in the city 70.8 45.8

Activities to do in the city 75.0 70.8

Proximity in relation to transport and accessibility 83.3 58.3

Politics and government 62.5 83.3

Weather 45.8 29.2

Pollution 66.7 45.8

Community i.e. family, friends and neighbors 91.7 58.3

Multiculturalism and foreigners 33.3 66.7

Language 20.8 20.8

Safety, security and crime 83.3 58.3

Harmony and peace in the community 25.0 58.3

Hustle and bustle in the city center 75.0 45.8

Peace and tranquility in the countryside or suburbs 83.3 41.7

Quantity of people 54.2 70.8

Familiarity and memories 66.7 62.5

Unfamiliarity 33.3 29.2

Subjects aspirations 29.2 29.2

Familys aspirations 58.3 29.2

For this reason, the research presented a variety of codes and there were differences, expressed in percentages among the two genders in all the 21 codes. Therefore, it is clear that place attachment varies in accordance to personal, social and physical attributes of a person.

In addition, based on the personal, social, and physical attributes, there were seven themes identified. In essence, the codes identified in Table 1 can be subdivided into seven themes, as shown in Table 2 below. Further, the themes can further be subdivided into three dimensions, physical, social, and personal. Under the physical dimension, the themes identified were environment, atmosphere, and facilities and services. Under the social dimension, two themes were identified, people and the atmosphere, which is based on the people around. Lastly, under the personal dimension, two themes were also identified, time of residence and aspirations.

Table 2: Division of the codes in accordance to the seven themes.

Dimensions Themes Codes

Physical Environment Concrete jungle vs. nature

Open spaces and parks

Architecture and infrastructure

Facilities and services Culture, history and art in the city

Activities to do in the city

Proximity in relation to transport and accessibility

Politics and government

Atmosphere Weather

Pollution

Social People Community i.e. family, friends and neighbors

Multiculturalism and foreigners

Language

Atmosphere based on the people around Safety, security and crime

Harmony and peace in the community

Hustle and bustle in the city center

Peace and tranquility in the countryside or suburbs

Quantity of people

Personal Time of residence Familiarity and memories

Unfamiliarity

Aspirations Subjects aspirations

Familys aspirations

Even so, as highlighted by the placement differences among genders, the frequencies for the dimensions and themes, just like the codes differed as shown in Table 2 and 3 below. In essence, because there were differences in coding frequencies, as stipulated in Figure 1, there had to be differences in the dimension and theme frequency.

Table 2: Percentage Frequency Per Theme.

% Frequency Per Theme

Themes Female Male

Environment 87.5 79.2

Facilities & services 100.0 100.0

Atmosphere 83.3 83.3

People 87.5 87.5

Atmosphere based on the people around 100.0 95.8

Time of residence 70.8 66.7

Aspirations 66.7 50.0

Table 3: Percentage Frequency Per Dimension.

% Frequency Per Dimension

Dimensions Female Male

Physical 100.0 100.0

Social 100.0 100.0

Personal 87.5 83.3

3.2. Interview Themes

The interview process, which constituted London dwellers elaborating on their own free associations of place attachment, covered the seven themes identified in Table 2. The following sections will identify and outline the most prevalent themes found in the collected data concerning the gender differences and placement attachment, and then provide an expansion of each theme to understand the issue of placement and gender differences.

3.2.1. Physical Dimension

The physical dimension covered the largest constellation of the interview and was subdivided into three themes. In essence, the physical aspects of cities were seen as the most desirable dimension for London dwellers. Even so, the physical and social aspects were significantly intertwined, and therefore, attention to the social dimension veers into the physical dimension and vice versa.

3.2.1.1. Theme 1: Environment

The first theme in the physical dimension is the environment and includes associations, such as the city and the countryside. In essence, the city is characterized by hustle and bustle because the two have a lot of overlap. In essence, there were differences among the genders when it comes to free associations of the city center. Firstly, both women and men elicited different emotions. While females associate the city centers with worry and stress, males associate the city with excitement and buzz. However, there associations are primarily driven by the things that are associated with city centers, including activities that can be done, the services offered, the facilities, buzz and vibe, easiness to meet people and accessibility. In essence, females liked the facilities as an escape from the busy city, but they also found it to be too noisy and busy for them to like.

Ok, well 2nd box is almost diametrically opposite to that. Its a little house by the seaside with no other houses around and theres a boat pulled up on the beach. Thats probably more of a, its probably more of a fantasy, its the romantic countryside idyll of oh lets get away from this noisy city and go somewhere where its completely quiet, we can go for walks in the forest and take the boat out and row around the bay. Its probably something Id love to do for a weekend and indeed may do for a weekend in the future but it wouldnt, I think if I was there for much more than a week Id probably get as bored as hell.

Female, 1835. White British. London.

The physical environment, and in particular, the manmade stuff affected emotions differently among the genders. For instance, males associated the beautiful buildings with pride. In essence, the planning and design of the city featured prominently among the London dwellers. In addition, based on aesthetics and importance of the physical environment, males liked showing off to tourists, as evidenced from one of the male responses below. Or this reason, they connected the beautiful city with a sense of pride.

Right, museums and art galleries and anything associated with that which as were right in the middle of everything and so I go to, I just pop in the Tate if I fancy a little outing or the Tate Modern or the Globe, the Young Vic, just everywhere like that. Weve got the South Bank, I go down there to the, thats included in the museums really and we have free concerts in the foyer of the Royal Festival Hall, everything like that so we couldnt wish for a better place really.

Male, 36-54, higher SES, White British, London.

In addition, even females had a sense of pride. According to one of the responses, London is beautiful city with beautiful buildings, beautiful areas to eat, as well as a sense of great history. Regarding history, the age of the buildings played a significant role as historical ones were far more attractive compared to newer ones. In essence, this combination elicited a sense of culture and pride among the London dwellers.

ou know, Ive got a picture there of London and its this, you know, its just a I think a beautiful city with beautiful buildings, beautiful areas to eat, you know, eateries and bars and, you know, its got history, its got, you know, its got so much to offer.

Female 36-54. lower SES, British Minority Ethnic, London.

Additionally, the need for better hospitals, schools, as well as efficient local council services was also mentioned on a regular basis. However, both genders identified the need of the government to provide better services. For instance, females are bothered by safety of their children.

But then I see whats going on in London and I think I want to kind of get away from that, like Im scared sending my child to school by himself, you know. I know that people say oh but it happens everywhere in the world.

Female, 5567, lower SES, White British, Lodon

For older females, they prefer quieter places, free of hustle and bustle and pollution of the city. In essence, they prefer living in the countryside as it is a source of peace, relaxation, and calmness. In addition, females prefer the countryside as ut provides a perfect opportunity for possessing a garden, big house. However, females with a high SES can afford to move and commute to London everyday for work even though it is expensive. Even so, they do not like traffic and driving while the tolls are expensive.

Yeah, yeah, well thats for me. Other people, Im not knocking it, you know, thats just the way I feel, you know, my future, I dont really want to be sitting at a cafe with cars flying past me, pollution all over me. Some people love it. I feel more content in open spaces, countrified places, a quiet way of life, a more calmer way of life at my age. When I was younger you always want to be up the West End, dont you, clubs and bars, brilliant, you know, but its different stages of your life I think. Ive sort of done that, been there, got the t-shirt, like I lived in Westminster, there were nightclubs every weekend, Kings Road, football, Kings Road, clubs, done that, you know. At my age now its a different way of thinking, I think

Female, 5567, lower SES, White British,

However, males associated the countryside with boredom, and would prefer going over in the weekend.

Ok, well 2nd box is almost diametrically opposite to that. Its a little house by the seaside with no other houses around and theres a boat pulled up on the beach. Thats probably more of a, its probably more of a fantasy, its the romantic countryside idyll of oh lets get away from this noisy city and go somewhere where its completely quiet, we can go for walks in the forest and take the boat out and row around the bay. Its probably something Id love to do for a weekend and indeed may do for a weekend in the future but it wouldnt, I think if I was there for much more than a week Id probably get as bored as hell.

Male, 18-35, lower SES, White British, London

3.2.1.2. Theme 2: Facilities and Services

The second theme on the physical dimension is facilities and services. The city has many facilities compared to the countryside, and thus, for a person in favor of the facilities, they would prefer the city compared to the countryside. For instance, as females like the countryside more, they liked facilities offered in the countryside as an escape from the busy city. Females found the cities to be too noisy and busy for their linking. On the other hand, males in general displayed positive feelings and emotions towards the busy cities like London in comparison to the females who displayed negative emotions. The males focused on the appeal of a range of services and facilities that London offers, such as cinemas, restaurants, theatres, pubs, cafes, and nigh...