The factors determining the participation of women in leisure activities

The leisure behaviors and leisure constraints of individuals vary according to the cultural characteristics of the society in which they live. Discussing the leisure constraints of women, this study aims to reveal the leisure constraints specific to Turkish society. Another aim of the study is to determine what the concept of leisure means for women living in Turkish society. The sub-aims of the study are to question whether women are able to make use of their leisure time freely and to discuss how the participation of women who have leisure constraints in the leisure activities can be increased. The leisure constraints of women were discussed in line with the gender issue. The Hierarchical Model of Leisure Constraints was used in order to evaluate the leisure constraints in specific systematics and the leisure constraints of women were presented under three main themes of structural, intrapersonal, and interpersonal constraints. In the study, a heuristic approach was adopted, and the qualitative research method was used. In order to provide data variety, women with different sociocultural and economic characteristics were reached. In this context, data were collected from 26 regions that were stated as the representatives of Turkey by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK). Interviews were conducted with a total of 52 female participants. The interviews were conducted between the March 2020 and June 2020. The content analysis method was used for data analysis. As a result of the research, it was understood that the cultural characteristics of the society in which one lives and the social roles expected from women shape the perceptions of women on the concept of leisure time. Another result of the research is the fact that women living in Turkish society have interpersonal constraints rather than structural and intrapersonal constraints. In the study, it was determined that women living in Turkish society have leisure constraints specific to themselves. These constraints are listed as appearance concerns, the structure of the city in which one lives, social pressure, and family pressure. The lack of recreational facilities among the structural constraints and the fear of violence and sexual harassment among the intrapersonal constraints are the most mentioned constraints by women. Social pressure and family pressure are the most stated issues by women within the context of interpersonal constraints. It was determined that women resort to some behavioral negotiations such as avoiding taking a walk by themselves and preferring bright and crowded parks at nights in order to overcome these constraints. The results obtained from the study are important in terms of determining the position of women living in Turkish society in social life.