The Social Aspects of Physical Recreation Vital to Single Women than Single Men - Research Proposal Example

Responses of Single Women That Don’t Participate In Active Physical Recreation Compared to That of Single Men That Don’t Participate in Active Physical Recreation Customer’s Name Customer’s Grade Course Customer tutor’s Name 7th September, 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 1.2 Problem Justification 4 1.3 Research Questions 5 1.4 Null Hypothesis 5 1.5 Broad Objective of the Study 5 1.6 Specific Objectives of the Study 5 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 6 2.1 Background 6 3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 8 DISCUSSION 9 4.1.2 The Social Aspects of Physical Recreation Vital to Single Women than Single Men 9 4.1.3 Types of Constraints Which Shape Single Women's Physical Recreation 9 5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 11 REFERENCES 12 INTRODUCTION 1.0 Background of the Study Developing an understanding about the mechanisms underlying regular physical activity participation poses a challenge. Many studies on motivation and exercise have concentrated on adherence, or the problem of keeping participants exercising once they have started. Less has been studied on the reason why people start exercising in the first place, and little information is available on the motives behind the late-life initiation or resumption of exercise regimes. Participation in recreational physical activities and sports has been rising throughout the 1980s, while the 1990s are characterized by a more diversified development with raising, stagnating and even decreasing rates of participation (Ilse and Pfister, 2003). The diversified and heterogenic developments in participation in the 1990s are mirrored by data informing us about parallel or country tendencies of single men and single women participation in countries. This research papers however reveals that single women are less likely to participate in physical recreational activities and sports than the single men. This research also reveals the general gender gap in participation over the last few decades; some of the data reveal interesting variations concerning gender and age, indicating that this gap narrows with age. 1.2 Problem Justification The past few decades have enabled women to take up jobs and change their lifestyles just like their male counterparts. Women just like men have their expectations changing day in day out. The global institutions and societies are also learning and adapting to these changing status of women. These kinds of changes have implications for participation in recreational physical exercises. In the last decade, there have been changes in the recreation participation patterns of women. Some surveys in countries such as Canada have revealed that there is an increased need for exercise amongst people because of the oriented lifestyle. At the community levels and at colleges there has been a quick expansion in recreational physical activities opportunities for women (Hall, 1995). According to Hall (1995), “an increase in personal development programmes for women is also evident; nevertheless, concerns about obstacles which may limit participation are still present”. There are various contributing factors to the participation of single women in recreational physical activities. There is also a need to find out the responses of single women that don’t participate in active physical recreation in relation to the response of single men that don’t participate in active physical recreation. 1.3 Research Questions 1. Are single Women more likely to participate in physical recreation activities than single men? 2. Are the social aspects of physical recreation vital to single women than single men? 3. Are homes the only place for physical recreation for many single women than single men? 4. What are the types of constraints which shape single women's physical recreation including insufficient time, lack of a household & children demands, and individual and community attitudes compared to those of single men? 1.4 Null Hypothesis Single women participate more in physical recreation activities than single men 1.5 Broad Objective of the Study To determine the magnitude of participation of single women in physical recreation activities compared to participation of single men in physical recreation activities. 1.6 Specific Objectives of the Study 1. To establish if single Women are more likely to participate in physical recreation activities than single men. 2. To find out the social aspects of physical recreation vital to single women than single men 3. to establish if homes are the only place for physical recreation activities for many single women than single men 4. To find out the types of constraints which shape single women's physical recreation including insufficient time, lack of a household & children demands, and individual and community attitudes compared to those of single men 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Background Various studies have stipulated that women's participation in physical recreation activities patterns differ greatly that those of men. According to Zuzanek, “Women participate less than men in active sports, sport spectatorship, and outdoor activities” (Zuzanek, 2008). On the other Hayes and Fish-wick (1999) and Fitness and Amateur Sport (1984) notes that, “a higher magnitude of women participate in health-related activities (Fitness and Amateur Sport, 1984; Hayes and Fish-wick, 1999). According to Deem (2002), “much of a women's leisure outside the home takes the form of recreational classes, adult education and organizations and clubs”. Deem also notes that women are more likely than men to participate in cultural related sport activities. Ilse and Pfister, (2003) notes that, “the reason why girls and women are less likely to be members of a sports club are multifarious”. A major reason according to Ilse and Pfister is that sports clubs were, right from the start, traditionally male dominated, founded and led by males focusing primarily on competitive sports. Additionally sports clubs offer predominantly traditional team sports requiring regular participation and commitment to training sessions. It seems to be a general finding that the club is the higher the female membership. Of course clubs that are big in size are more likely located in urban areas, which in turn tend to reflect less traditional gender role. The most important reason for a higher female membership in bigger clubs seems to be the range of sports, physical activities and facilities offered. There is a tendency towards a higher participation rate of young unmarried women in fitness and health centres in those countries which are more industrialized (Shaw, 2004). However, in these cases social stratification plays a vital role as these centres are part of the commercial sector and are rather expensive in comparison with public amenities and sports clubs which are mostly dominated by young men (Bialeschki and Henderson, 2006). Motives to participate in physical recreational activities vary with gender and age. They shift from fun (relevant to young people) through stress reduction, need for fitness’ (middle age) to ‘health concern’ (relevant for elderly). Women generally score higher on motive such as health concern, keeping down weight and other aesthetic concerns. Men on the other hand generally score higher on motives related to competition, excitement, challenge and adventure. All levels of inclusion, unorganized and organized sport. Leisure and higher performance are strongly mediated by socio-economic status and ethnicity (Ilse and Pfister, 2003). The lower the class, the less physical active are the people and this effect seems to be stronger amongst young unmarried women than amongst young unmarried men. Despite an expansion of facilities for outdoor and indoor sport (at different levels but worldwide) and the overall increase in participation, social class remains a persistent factor in women’s sports participation. The overall participation rate for ethnic minority groups is less compared with the national average for both men and women, but there are wide variations concerning different ethnic groups I some countries. In addition the issue of religion plays a vital role in understanding participation of unmarried women in sports. This holds true for countries with dominant religious cultures like Islam in Iran or catholic roots in Spain and Latin America, but this issue is pertinent to immigrant groups in for example Australia, France and united states. Most contribution of western industrialized countries gives an impression that jogging, swimming and cycling are the most preferred physical activity. Although girls and women have lower participation rates these activities, which are mostly informally performed without an institutionalized framework are always found in the top three activities of both sexes. 3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Interview questionnaires were employed in this study. This research is qualitative in nature and selective coding was used to identify the respondents who participated in the research. The selected respondents were then given a copy of the questionnaire to respond to the questions. Sampling frame was a total of 334 i.e. 167 unmarried women and 167 unmarried men respondents. The research was conducted at Griffith University Australia because majority of the male and female students in the university were single. After data collection was completed, simple descriptive and inferential was used in the analysis of data provided. DISCUSSION 4.1.1 Likelihood of Single Women to Participate In Physical Recreation Activities than Single Men The study established that forty four percent of the unmarried female respondents were active in working on voluntary basis, in relation to the 39% of unmarried men. In line with Bialeschki and Henderson (2006) the study also found out that, “the home is the main site for leisure for most women”. This turned out to be true for all the women working outside home and for the home-based women. The assessment revealed that young unmarried women might combine leisure activities for example dancing with other household tasks. This study also found out that most men than women (unmarried) participated in the popular physical recreational activities such as major games (football, athletics). Men also dominated in swimming, walking, cycling, and jogging. Women danced more than men. 4.1.2 The Social Aspects of Physical Recreation Vital to Single Women than Single Men The study established that unmarried female participated poorly in team sport. However single women participated more in health-related physical recreational activities. The research findings indicated that 72% of single men over participated physical recreational activities compared to 46% of the single females. The participation in activities however is higher among the most learned single women. One of the underlying reason why learned single women participated more than the less learned can be attributed to the urge of feeling to experience much activity in order to have the experience of ‘feel better’ condition. The urge of taking control of weight was the most vital aspect to all the single women. 4.1.3 Types of Constraints Which Shape Single Women's Physical Recreation This study found out that single women might be exposed to various types of hindrances which affect their physical activity experiences. Some of these hindrances might be associated to the way the individual was brought up, the way she or he developed skills and the individual attitude towards physical recreational activities. The hindrances might also be associated with other single man or women’s roles. Hindrance might also show attitudes of society about gender’s roles, and lack of equality in opportunities for different genders. Although the hindrance of time was similar for both single men and single women, women respondents said that they were more affected by other constraints than time. Hindrances which affected the single ladies more than their male counterparts was lack of companion to participate with in activities, not being open with men at social situations and the lack of money for admission and procuring other essential amenities. 5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS This study reveals that single women do not participate actively in physical recreation activities like their single male counterparts which mean that the null hypothesis that was driving this research is void. It is therefore important according to Witt (2007) to enhance the role of single women managing, planning and participating in physical recreational activities. If this is done then there will be a resultant change of attitude and perception by single women as far as access and utilization of available physical recreation amenities and programmes. Many institutions and organization should start to actively recruit and train single women to recreation Boards (Ford, 2005). REFERENCES Bialeschki, D. and K. Henderson (2006) "Leisure in the common world of women" Leisure Studies Vol.5, No. 3 pp. 299-308. Deem, Rosemary (2002) "Women, leisure and inequality". Leisure Studies 1, pp 29-46. Ford, R. (2005) "Women and Recreation" Recreation Canada Vol.43, No. 3. p.33. Hall, M. Ann (1995) "Rarely Have We Asked Why: Reflections on Canadian Women's Experience in Sport" Atlantis: A Women's Studies Journal Vol. 1 No. 1 pp. 51-60. Hayes, D. and L. Fish wick (1999) "Antecedents to Participation in Recreational Activities and Related Aspects of Health" Presented at the 5th Canadian Congress on Leisure Research. Ilse H. and Pfister, G. 2003. Sport and women: social issues in international perspective. London: Routledge Publishers. Shaw, Susan M. (2004) "Female Employment: Its Impact on the Distribution of Time and Leisure Experiences of Married Women and Their Husbands" Presented at the 5th Canadian Congress on Leisure, Halifax. Witt, Peter (2007) "Women in Recreation Management: A Man's Perspective on Understanding and Change" Parks and Recreation Vol. 22, No.3. pp. 42-44,102. Zuzanek,}. (2008) "Social Differences in Leisure Behaviour: Measurement and Interpretation" Leisure Sciences Vol.1, No. 3. pp. 271-293. Read More