An investigation into the leisure experiences of women with preschool children in a suburban context

Abstract

Interviews of 58 women with pre-school children were conducted during a three-month period. Case studies were developed of the leisure experience of 29 women members of a suburban community centre, with a corresponding sample of non-members as a comparative group. The interviews concentrated on leisure experiences of these women outside the home. The research was exploratory. It sought to identify the meanings of leisure for each individual, to identify significant variables in their leisure experiences and their inter-relationships, and to explore the link between leisure and community by examining the influence of the use of a community centre on leisure activities. It complemented existing research on women's leisure activities, indicated areas for further research and provided information for the planning of future leisure and community services. The variables used in this study included socio-economic ones, such as the age of the woman, the number and age of children, present and previous occupation, education, partner's occupation, income of household and length of residence in the suburb. Other variables included previous knowledge of an activity, the opportunity to participate, the identification of constraints, the social context (the importance of others, the woman's self-concept, her motherhood role and her partner's attitude to activities outside the home), and the anticipated satisfaction of an activity. Information was obtained on the reasons for participating in leisure activities outside the home and the importance of these activities to the individual. As the focus of this research was on the individual's perception of leisure and its meaning, case studies were developed. The responses were analysed in terms of distribution, frequency and emphasis. The research considered the differences between the two groups in the amount and type of leisure activities. The sample was predominantly white, middle-class and married, so results must be viewed within this cultural context. Education was identifed by a log-likelihood ratio test of the socio-economic information as an important variable. Leisure experiences outside the home were seen as providing an important opportunity for personal development (intrinsic satisfaction) and for companionship (relational) but were not role-related. Involvement in a suburban community centre influenced the amount of leisure experiences but not the type of activity. Constraints to leisure experiences were child-related (for example, lack of child care), organisation and motivation. The lack of private transport was identified as the main constraint to participation in a particular activity. During the interviews some of the women in the sample commented on their mental well-being although information on this topic had not been specifically sought. This thesis indicated that both leisure and community are important to the mental well-being of women with pre-school children and that further research is required on the inter-relationships between these concepts for this and other sections of society. Leisure provided an opportunity for self-expression while community provided an opportunity for involvement and support particularly if leisure and community can be locally based and provide a range of activities.