Symbolic Interactionism: A Framework for Understanding Risk-Taking Behaviors in Farm Communities

Abstract

Risk behaviors are key drivers of occupationally related injuries and illnesses, considerably impacting the uptake and success of injury interventions, technologies, and practices. This is certainly true in the agricultural sector, where farmers often ignore recommended safety practices or have even been known to disable safety technologies. Although research studies have characterized specific individual safety or risk behaviors, few studies have thoroughly examined farmers' risk and safety orientations or how these develop in response to environmental and societal exposures. This study utilizes data collected over the past decade with a variety of small to midsize farm personnel to explore the meanings that farmers ascribe to risk and safety and how these influence risk and safety behaviors. In all, over 90 interviews with farmers, farm-wives, and family members were reviewed. Researchers used a grounded theory approach to identify patterns of environmental and societal exposures, as well as their impact on farmers' risk and safety orientations. Analysis revealed exposures and orientations to risk and safety, which could be largely explained through the lens of symbolic interactionism. This framework posits that people create a sense-of-self as a way of adjusting and adapting to their environment. For farmers in this study, belief in their ability to persevere allows them to succeed, despite the considerable stressors and challenges they face each day. However, this identity can, at times, be maladaptive when it is applied to safety decisions and hazard exposures. The authors discuss the implications of this research and how it may be used to productively inform future farm safety efforts.

Health and Well‐Being Among Young People From Canadian Farms: Associations With a Culture of Risk‐Taking

“…Yet in truth, there is little established evidence about the culture of adolescent risk‐taking observed in these populations. On farms, this trend may have anthropological origins associated with the need to engage in risks as a means for survival and productivity . Indeed, farm populations may create a unique “sense‐of‐self” or identity involving risk‐taking as “a way of adjusting and adapting to their environment.” This tendency is protective in some manners, and hence, is passed between generations.…”

“…On farms, this trend may have anthropological origins associated with the need to engage in risks as a means for survival and productivity . Indeed, farm populations may create a unique “sense‐of‐self” or identity involving risk‐taking as “a way of adjusting and adapting to their environment.” This tendency is protective in some manners, and hence, is passed between generations. However, these same beliefs that assist farm populations in coping with challenging environments also “can be maladaptive when it is applied to safety decisions and hazard exposures.”…”

“…In the past, we have argued that these patterns of risk‐taking on farms may have arisen by choice due to social norms, or by necessity due to the inherent level of risk typical of farm environments . However, based on the types of behaviors involved (eg, substance misuse, failure to take safety precautions) and this theory surrounding cultural “identity,” adolescent multiple risk behavior may also represent a process of self‐identity that has social importance within rural populations. This form of expression of identity would emerge earlier in the life course than observed among adult farmers, and its possible effects include a range of direct and indirect influences on the health and well‐being of farm children.…”

“…This may have social and anthropological explanations. Farmers are often rewarded in very practical terms for a willingness to engage in risk‐taking . Production of livestock, crops, and other agricultural products is an occupation that is often fraught with uncertainty, time pressures, and physical hazards, and it is only by embracing the risks associated with such factors that farmers are able to survive and indeed often thrive.…”

“…Farmers are often rewarded in very practical terms for a willingness to engage in risktaking. 12 Production of livestock, crops, and other agricultural products is an occupation that is often fraught with uncertainty, time pressures, and physical hazards, and it is only by embracing the risks associated with such factors that farmers are able to survive and indeed often thrive. Hence, in addition to being a cause of injury, engagement in risk behaviors may actually serve a protective function, and it is logical that such behaviors may be fostered and accepted in the next generation.…”