Main Article Content
Assessment of working women’s perception and pursuit of recreation
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the recreation pursuits of working women and their perceptions regarding recreation. A combination of convenience and snowball sampling was adopted to recruit participants from a chemical company and an attorney’s office in the southern
region of Gauteng Province, South Africa, to participate in two focus group interviews at the workplace of the respondents. Each focus group consisted of seven women. The age ranged between 26 and 43 years. The positions they held were: product specialist, financial administrator, creditor’s clerk, professional assistant, receptionist, secretary, office assistant, cost
controller, document controller and general administrators. Their job experience ranged between 5 and 20 years in a chemical company and 7 to 15 years in an attorney’s office. Responses were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. The raw data were analysed independently by the
researchers. Three underlying themes, namely barriers, benefits, and attitude and pursuits emerged from the interviews. The findings indicate that participation in recreation activities poses problems for many women. They experience the dilemma of choosing between their jobs,
family commitments and engaging in recreation activities. It was concluded that if working women are to take their health and well-being seriously, there needs to be a change of mindset. They need to be made aware of the significant role that recreation plays in improving their
physical and mental health, and should be supported in pursuing a healthy lifestyle through participation in recreation activities.
region of Gauteng Province, South Africa, to participate in two focus group interviews at the workplace of the respondents. Each focus group consisted of seven women. The age ranged between 26 and 43 years. The positions they held were: product specialist, financial administrator, creditor’s clerk, professional assistant, receptionist, secretary, office assistant, cost
controller, document controller and general administrators. Their job experience ranged between 5 and 20 years in a chemical company and 7 to 15 years in an attorney’s office. Responses were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. The raw data were analysed independently by the
researchers. Three underlying themes, namely barriers, benefits, and attitude and pursuits emerged from the interviews. The findings indicate that participation in recreation activities poses problems for many women. They experience the dilemma of choosing between their jobs,
family commitments and engaging in recreation activities. It was concluded that if working women are to take their health and well-being seriously, there needs to be a change of mindset. They need to be made aware of the significant role that recreation plays in improving their
physical and mental health, and should be supported in pursuing a healthy lifestyle through participation in recreation activities.
