The Relational Politics of Gender and Leisure

Gender is a powerful influence in the lives of people and societies. Often confused with the word sex and associated mostly with women, gender is a consideration that everyone must negotiate (Freysinger et al, 2013). Indeed, gender is so pervasive that it often takes a deliberate disruption to draw attention to the gendered nature of society. Given the pervasive nature of gender in society, it follows that leisure is also influenced by gender. Over the past three decades, a large body of literature has revealed the important ways that gender influences leisure, but also the ways that leisure influences gender. The purpose of this chapter is draw upon recent theoretical contributions and empirical research to discuss the interplay between gender and leisure, including an analysis of women’s and men’s leisure experiences, attitudes, constraints, challenges, and behaviors. I emphasize the ways in which gender relations and gender role expectations affect, and are affected by, leisure.