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Profile: Women in recreation Illinois women share their views about work-related and personal responsibilities. Editor's Note: Do women in the recreation and leisure field have any advantages or disadvantages over their male counterparts? The IPR staff posed this and related questions to women statewide who work in either professional posts at, or as elected commissioners of, park and recreation agencies. The views of the 16 who responded are presented in the following article. By Barb Valiukenas Editor Capability outranks gender as a major factor influencing job performance by both commissioners and professionals. However, being female often brings special insights, talents — and problems to the post. Some drawbacks Dispelling the occasional "double standard" among peers and constituents was the most commonly cited disadvantage by the respondents. "For example, consider the woman who demonstrates strong leadership qualities," explained Cindi Nolen Allen, commissioner at the Carbondale Park District. "She is often thought of as aggressive, while her male counterpart is referred to as enthusiastic or goal-oriented." Sharon L. Morris, director of parks and recreation at the Lake Zurich Park and Recreation Department, feels a woman "is forced to prove herself more" than her male counterpart in some areas, especially those related to salary.
Being taken lightly by male constituents is also sometimes a problem. "When I'm giving a presentation to a community club that is all male, some members don't take me as seriously as they do a male," notes Susan Balling, marketing and development director at the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association. Wilmette Park Commissioner Phyllis Cossarek noted that "gender should not make a difference, but men tend to put women down." "They still believe that women should stay home and do the laundry and tend to the children," she said. Other noted disadvantages included the extra effort sometimes needed to gain colleagues' overall confidence and respect, and to dispell the view that "the woman on the park board caused this or did that." "In an academic setting, there have been no noticeable gender issues for me," explained Nancy Navar, assistant professor at the University of Illinois. "However, as a practitioner and administrator there were obvious disadvantages," she said. "As the only woman in a middle management position, other managers and personnel under my supervision had attitude difficulties adjusting to the idea of a female manager." Another perspective However, most of the respondents felt that being a woman offered more advantages in their job performance. Illinois Parks and Recreation 17 March/April 1986 "'That sounds just like a woman' was one response that really used to throw me," says Kay Schebler, commissioner at the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District. "It's taken a while for me to see that there's nothing wrong with me sounding like a woman. Someone on our board has to represent the interests of women in our community." Betsy Kutska, executive director of the Batavia Park District, agrees.
"Being a female director is somewhat unique in our field," she noted, "and I see this as actually being an advantage. Women executives have gained respect for their individual expertise and efforts. Individual is the key word, for respect must be earned by the individual." Patience, understanding, accessibility, rapport with children, natural creativity, an intuitive knack for details and follow-up, and a willingness to assume more and delegate fewer responsibilities were also cited as special traits women bring to the recreation field. "There is a perception that women work hard, are well organized, honest and concerned about the community's well-being," Judith Barringer, commissioner of the Springfield Park District, explained. "For voters tired of the 'old boy network' and 'backroom politics,' a woman trustee (board member) is often seen as promoting community service first," she said. A non-issue For others, gender was not a job-related factor. "I don't think gender plays any role at the professional level," stated Connie Skibbe, director of the Park District of Highland Park.
"The profession is basically a young one where there has never been a strong male domination as in other professions," she said. "Also, there is no competition factor, but rather a strong sense of camaraderie among peers." Northbrook Park District Board President Lorraine Wax agrees. "Each commissioner brings to the office many different facets of personality that result from many different experiences and conditions," she said. "Gender is one condition. "(Any) barriers can be removed by demonstrating to male associates objective approaches to problem solving after educating one's self about the issues in question." Balancing responsibilities The majority of respondents felt that the problems encountered in balancing work-related and personal responsibilities varied on a case-by-case basis. Marital and family status, the amount of family responsibilities, spouse support, assertiveness, time management skills and stress management can influence an individual's situation. Skibbe notes that the nature of her job requires extra hours beyond the normal work day and an enthusiastic public image. "Because I don't have any family responsibilities, my tendency is to be so involved that I'm unable to distinguish between what is work and what is personal," she said. "Time away is critical to the restoration of a proper perspective on the importance of personal play." The working mother encounters different circumstances which Kutska views as "a complication that can be handled by a family working together." Allen copes with the "old traditional mom concept that is still ingrained" in her soul. "I am constantly concerned that my endeavors are less than the quality I had expected for myself," she said. "I fantasize about reading the newspaper before the ten o'clock news reports it all. "I panic if the laundry runs out on Thursday, and I experience the proverbial 'guilt trip' if I'm too tired to read a bedtime story," Allen stated. "Laugh if you dare, but there are a lot of women out there who will nod their heads in solemn affirmation." Others felt that a woman's background of juggling various responsibilities was usually a plus in both the professional and commissioner role.
However, a few, like Morris, don't view gender as a factor. "I know men who balance responsibilities just fine," she said. "I believe that women can adapt quicker and easier than men when referring to personal responsibilities. . . thus creating the fallacy that men have more difficulties." Issues of impact The IPR also wanted to know what issues could have future impact on women in the parks and recreation field. On the positive side, respondents indicated the advancement of more women in management positions, more job sharing, flex time and child care opportunities, non-sexist educational texts and curricula, and equal pay for equal work. An increasing number of job opportunities resulting from an expanded Illinois Parks and Recreation 18 March/April 1986 awareness about fitness and leisure options, more exposure of women to business and politics, and greater acceptance of the two-income family and women as leaders were also cited as positive developments in the future. Future negative concerns were few. They included less time for volunteer opportunities and the unknown long-term effect on children from having surrogate parents. Professional advice What advice would our respondents give to other women considering a career in parks and recreation? "The same advice I would give to a woman considering any field of endeavor," Skokie Park Board President Shirley Shevick reported. "If you think you have the talent and temperament, make up your mind and go for it!" Others advise women to: "Go in with the idea that you can do the Job as good as a man, maybe even better. Don't let aggressiveness get the better of you, and use asser-tiveness as much as you can. It will get you everywhere." (Commissioner Elaine Heinen, Niles Park District) "Like people, as this is a real people business." (Nancy W. Osborne, President of the Mokena Community Park District) "Know your goals and be realistic to what is expected from the field of parks and recreation . . , flexibility is a must, and this field offers back to you the flexibility if you choose a dual career of job and homemaker." (Morris) Possess "a pioneering professionalizing attitude (that) will help achieve success." (Navar) Have "patience because we are beyond the point of fast track advancement" . . . and a sense of humor to "keep in perspective the business we're in ... accessibility to the public, empathy and interpersonal relationships. . . ." (Skibbe) Know that "confidence and self-assuredness are important." (Mary Jane Holley, pool coordinator, Keller School) "Consider your own needs for personal growth, success, achievement of goals and future advancement in your career choice." (Allen)
"Never be afraid to state your point of view . . . talk to other commissioners . . . read . . . attend conferences and seminars. . . ." (Schebler) "Get some 'straight talk' from several different women in the field...." (Balling) "Be certain you are willing to accept a life style that will require you to work when most people have leisure hours and that you are willing to devote more than a standard 40-hour work week to a career. Recognize, too, that people with your ability will probably earn more in the private sector." (Wax) "Go for it!" (Commissioner Barbara Williams, Olympia Fields Park District) "The recreation field currently resembles the way the educational field used to look," Jane Hodgldnson, executive director of the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, explained. "There are fewer women in the top administrative positions while the majority of lower level positions are filled by women. "This aspect is changing, and incoming women should be encouraged by the challenge and diversity of the field," she said. Barringer adds, "Where else can you learn about issuing bonds, protecting endangered species, designing golf courses, reroofing buildings, cleaning up stagnent water, quarantining animals and liability insurance — all in one job!"
Illinois Parks and Recreation 23 March/April 1986 |
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