Gender and Leisure
Leisure in classical terms is defined as spare time for contemplation, self-enrichment and personal growth. Leisure is important in modern life, because people need to free themselves from fast paced and stressful lifestyle, as well as satisfying their recreational needs. One 's leisure experience is often influenced by a variety of factors such as gender, age and status. Gender in particular is one of the most commonly discussed issue effecting on different leisure behaviours of men and women. This paper will focus on gender related issues in the perception of leisure and exams how gender differences may shape one 's leisure experience in the contemporary society.
Aquatic leisure is generally perceived as a positive indicator of a healthy life style. However, recent research studies conducted by Kevin Moran indicated that “aquatic recreation is a primary site for masculinization”. Aquatic leisure activities such as swimming, boating, surfing and fishing are best known for their challenging and inherent risk taking nature. Therefore aquatic leisure activities are very popular among male population and resulted in several gender related issues in the area of leisure.
Firstly, it is discovered that males are exposed to greater risk than females in aquatic recreation. When participating in aquatic leisure activities, females are more likely to choose low risk locations while men more likely to challenge danger associated locations. Risky behaviours are more often conducted by young men who like to display masculinity in order to impress their peers. Also young males reflected greater resistance to rules and parental authority than females. This means that male youth more often ignores safety directions or swim outside patrol areas. The need of men to display masculinity makes them the victims of dangers associated in aquatic leisure.
Secondly, young men are seemed to have greater chance of suffering from alcohol consumption while participating in aquatic leisure.
Aquatic leisure is generally perceived as a positive indicator of a healthy life style. However, recent research studies conducted by Kevin Moran indicated that “aquatic recreation is a primary site for masculinization”. Aquatic leisure activities such as swimming, boating, surfing and fishing are best known for their challenging and inherent risk taking nature. Therefore aquatic leisure activities are very popular among male population and resulted in several gender related issues in the area of leisure.
Firstly, it is discovered that males are exposed to greater risk than females in aquatic recreation. When participating in aquatic leisure activities, females are more likely to choose low risk locations while men more likely to challenge danger associated locations. Risky behaviours are more often conducted by young men who like to display masculinity in order to impress their peers. Also young males reflected greater resistance to rules and parental authority than females. This means that male youth more often ignores safety directions or swim outside patrol areas. The need of men to display masculinity makes them the victims of dangers associated in aquatic leisure.
Secondly, young men are seemed to have greater chance of suffering from alcohol consumption while participating in aquatic leisure.
References: Sparkes, A. C., Partington, E. and Brown, D. H.k. 2007,“ Bodies as bearers of value : the transmission of jock culture via the 'Twelve Commandments ' ,”Sport, Education and Society”,Vol 12, No.3 Moran,K..2011, , “(Young) Men behaving badly : dangerous masculinities and risk of drowning in aquatic leisure activities”, “Annals of leisure research”, Vol.14