Gender differences in leisure: from the relationship between leisure type-time and time use satisfaction in Korea

ABSTRACT This study aims to find out gender differences in leisure by examining the relationship between time and time use satisfaction(TUS) for each leisure type. As a result of analysing the Korean Time Use Survey, sports/leports and rest for men and hobbies and leisure learning for women showed a positive correlation with TUS, and for women, the more diverse the leisure types, the higher the TUS. I found that the gender norms imposed on women reduced their leisure time as well as their satisfaction, and that women’s labour market participation significantly constrained the quantity and quality of leisure compared to men. Gender differences in leisure are explained by resource availability, and women's leisure activities are more influenced by time resources and men’s financial resources. The nonlinear relationship between leisure repertoire or time and satisfaction shows gender differences in the combination of leisure diversity and time that increase the positive influence of leisure.