The gendered impacts of boomtowns

A new article exploring the gendered impacts of boomtowns has been published in Volume 7, Issue 3 of the International Journal of Rural Criminology.

Here is a synposis of the article, prepared by the lead author – Madison Charman of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

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The conversation around the impacts of the oil and gas industry on communities often drifts to economic or environmental themes. Although valid areas of discussion, the social impacts on community cohesion are often forgotten.

In this article, we discuss how the oil and gas industry can dramatically impact social order and disorder within communities, and how these impacts disproportionally impact women and women of colour.

This research was inspired by Viceland’s ‘RISE’ documentary, which explored the Standing Rock Indian Reservation’s experience and resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline. Within this documentary, women and young girls discussed feeling unsafe and unprotected with an influx of workers, as well as increases in substance use and partying behaviour within the area surrounding their community.

After listening to this, I asked myself: why is no one talking about this? I began to dig deeper into the existing literature as well as additional documentaries and literature from community advocacy groups and noticed gaps in the understanding of the female experience in boomtowns, specifically in the Canadian context.

Through interviews with social service providers in boomtown communities across Canada and the US, this research outlines the gendered impacts of Boomtowns. It explores the challenges that women face in such hegemonically masculine environments, such as challenges regarding their financial independence, employment, safety and well-being, and family life and relationships.

Communities experiencing booms should anticipate increases in various challenges and the victimization of women and should put proactive safeguards in place, such as investments in emergency services, and financial and social programming for women.

Madison Charman

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