Women’s leisure and leisure satisfaction in contemporary urban China

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the variables associated with Chinese women’s leisure satisfaction, investigate their preferences when participating in leisure and examine characteristics of women’s leisure engagement at different age groups. One hundred and fifty-two interviews were conducted from the summer of 2007 to the summer of 2008 in four cities in China. Leisure satisfaction among Chinese women was measured and analysed by testing a proposed model. Results indicated that there is a significant relationship between women’s leisure satisfaction and their perception of freedom to access leisure, the time they have for leisure, and their expectations of leisure in the future. When leisure activity participation was compared among different age groups (30 or younger; 31–50; and 50 plus), younger women were more likely to participate in entertainment-oriented (e.g., listening to music and going to a movie) and physically intensive (e.g., sports and travel) leisure activities. Older women were less likely to participate in these activities and more likely to prefer social-based leisure opportunities. Research implications and limitations are discussed.

Keywords:

• leisure
• Chinese women
• leisure satisfaction