Y-sukupolvi luonnossa

Luonnon merkitykset kaupungistuvassa yhteiskunnassa

Abstract

Urbanization and modernization have led to changes in the ways people use nature. While the public use of
nature is changing from subsistence to recreation, the amount of direct contact with nature has appeared
to decrease in Western societies. Younger generations’ alienation from nature has been recently discussed
in Finland, too. This article explores young people’s outdoor recreation and relationship with nature. The
research questions are: 1) how do young people born in the 1990s, the so called Generation Y, recreate
outdoors, 2) what values and meanings do they attach to natural areas and outdoor recreation, and 3) how
does their relationship with nature develop? This study is based on thematic writings and surveys completed
by 15–21 year old people living in the Lahti region (N=184). Results indicate the polarization in relation
to nature: for some young people nature is an integral part of their lives while some are not interested in
nature. The number of people not connected to nature may increase as urbanization continues. Nevertheless,
it is challenging to forecast the future as outdoor recreation seems to be connected to people’s age
and life phase. Outdoor recreation may thus increase among these young people in later phases of life.