Freedom and constraint in sailing: exploring a gendered attachment to sea-places

Abstract

The concept of place attachment is generally studied in relation to terrestrial environments. Few have examined a connection between ‘sea-place’ and those living or spending extended periods on recreational sailboats. Rarer still are studies of women sailors. Sea-place attachment for women appears to be strongly influenced by social bonding to sea-faring partners and nature bonding to the ocean. These elements of place attachment appear to overcome natural fears of the ocean and related dangers that would ordinarily be considered to weaken place dependence. A common identity-related theme for those living on the water is freedom - to escape land-bound regulations. This aspect appears particularly important for men while women also seek a simpler life: sea-place attachment entails freedom from regulation and societal and consumer pressures. The restrictions on mobility imposed due to COVID-19 have therefore been keenly felt and engendered deep emotions related to the loss of sea-place, termed here psycho-oceanic grief. © Robyn Bartel and Jennifer Carter 2021.