Gendered and racialized experiences and subjectivities in volunteer tourism. Issue 1 (2nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kipp, Amy; Hawkins, Roberta; Gray, Noella J.
• Is Part Of: Gender, place and culture. Volume 28:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 45
• Page End: 65
• Publication Date: 2021-01-02
• Subjects: Care -- fear -- gender -- race -- subjectivities -- volunteer tourism; Human geography -- Periodicals; Feminism -- Periodicals; Géographie féministe -- Périodiques; 305.305
• DOI: 10.1080/0966369X.2019.1708274
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0966-369X

Abstract

Abstract: Volunteer tourism is a feminized sector of international travel, comprised of a four to one ratio of women to men. Using feminist concepts and drawing on data from in-depth interviews with former volunteer tourists, this paper uses a gender lens to explore how volunteer tourists' gendered and racialized subjectivities shape and are shaped by their experiences while volunteering in the Global South with development-focused projects. We argue that: (1) the spaces, activities, and interactions of volunteer tourism are gendered and racialized and influenced by understandings and experiences of care and fear; (2) experiencing these gendered and racialized geographies of care and fear while abroad can lead volunteers to recognize and reflect on their subjectivities in new ways; and (3) these opportunities for self-reflection often result in reinforced stereotyping and privileging of certain bodies and subjectivities, specifically as they relate to Global North-South power dynamics. In conclusion, we suggest that volunteer tourism should be reimagined and practiced to focus on solidarity and support rather than relationships centered on care and hindered by fear.