Connectedness to nature can be influenced by cultural, social, and environmental factors, in the context of Indigenous populations. Often findings from Western studies looking at connectedness focus on positive experiences which occur in a healthy environment. However, this study explores the connectedness experienced in a contaminated, unsafe environment for Bedouin fifth and sixth graders in Israel’s Negev desert. The study suggests that the experiences of Indigenous can diverge from Western experiences and can provide opportunities to explore more effective guidelines for teaching programs tailored to Indigenous children.
A quantitative analysis of an open questionnaire survey of 294 Bedouin children who live in a highly rural environment was conducted and then the students’ responses to open-ended questions were analyzed using a qualitative thematic analysis. Five aspects of nature connectedness were analyzed: nature enjoyment, experience of nature in the immediate environment, empathy towards living creatures, sense of oneness with nature, and sense of responsibility and concern for nature. In addition, several themes were developed from the qualitative analysis.
The study found a high level of enjoyment in nature but less so for direct, physical experiences in their immediate environment. There was an ambivalence in the children’s empathy towards living creatures and over half expressed feelings of disgust. Most children indicated they could not live without plants or animals. There was also ambivalence in the sense of responsibility for nature. There were gender differences in the connectedness to nature – girls felt happier in nature and expressed more empathy towards animals. There were several cultural, social, and environmental factors that could have influenced their perceptions of nature such as belief in Islam and the importance of cleanliness, the Bedouin lifestyle based in animal husbandry, gender roles where boys spent more time outside the house, living in a contaminated environment with the lack of regular waste disposal services and pollution, as well as contenting with adverse weather conditions.
The study highlights how nature connectedness experiences can be vastly different for indigenous children compared to Western children who may associate nature with recreation. However, the analysis did indicate that the children did perceive nature to be a place to enjoy and play. The children’s awareness of pollution in their environment did play a role in their negative experiences and attitudes towards nature as did consequences of harsh weather conditions. The study also pointed to how populations with direct contact with animals may have an influence on empathy. These experiences of connectedness for Indigenous children should be considered when developing environmental educational programs.
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