Are young people caught in the time bind? A sociological analysis of how young people in an upper secondary school view the issue of finding time to do sports or exercise in their spare time

Abstract

New research shows that even young people, who are still undertaking an education, have difficulties with getting school, work, and family and leisure life to form a synthesis. The article reveals that young people's relationship to sport and physical activity in leisure time is related to the young people's experience of time pressure in the everyday life. Based on 12 group interviews with secondary school students (N = 120; taken over four years), the topic of how young people relate to and manage the time pressure between school, work and leisure life is analysed. The analysis establishes a link with the time strategies outlined by Hochschild. The young people's understanding of everyday life and their experiences of the requirements for their involvement in the three spheres of their lives (school, work and leisure time) is creating varied new knowledge on young people's leisure.