The Family That Plays Together Stays Together: Or Does It?

Abstract

SynopsisLeisure in stressful, industrial society is conceptualised as central to people’s well being. It has been suggested that leisure with the family is the way to a healthier and happier life. However, previous research has found that leisure experience in the family as well as outside it, may be different for women than for men.This research set out to discover the differences. A questionnaire was mailed to 600 randomly selected respondents in the Woollahra and Botany Local Government Areas with equal numbers of males and females. From the response of 133, few differences were found in leisure experience for area or gender except for parents of dependent children compared with the rest of the sample.The results suggest that for women with dependent children leisure ‘time’ spent with the family may not constitute ‘time out’ for themselves. The question is raised whether time spent with the family in leisure activities is really ‘leisure’ for these women. The helping professions need to recognise that ...