Gender
Phillips, C.J.C.
Leisure in contemporary society (Ed.2): 98-122
2006
DOI: 10.2307/20573788Document Number: 266405
This chapter discusses the feminist critique of male stream leisure research. The statistical evidence in gender differences in time use and patterns of leisure activity are considered. The arguments of writers who believe that women are less able than men to act on their leisure inclinations due to a combination of their generally lower incomes, heavier domestic responsibilities, cultural norms and the preponderance of men in power positions in the leisure industries are tackled. An analysis is given on whether times are changing in all these respects, whether women's disadvantages are disappearing and whether the remaining differences are purely differences and not evidence of disparity. It concludes by discussing the possibilities of leisure acting as a site of empowerment where men and women can challenge and sometimes change conventional gender roles and divisions.