An Analysis of the Recreational Preferences of School Teachers in Rural Areas of South Africa: The Case of Gender Differences

Abstract

The recreational preference is a chosen individual lifestyle that is socially constructed for multiple purposes such as enjoyment and relaxation of the mind, and therapeutic purpose. However, if the chosen lifestyle is not well combined with a recreational system, it defeats the major purpose and causes more. The study aimed to examine gender differences in the recreational preferences of school teachers in rural areas of Limpopo Province, South Africa. A quantitative survey design was used on a sample of 250 school teachers. The results showed significant (P<0.05) gender differences among male and female teachers ranging from the age of 31-50 years old in active and passive recreational activities. Female participants scored high preference rates in most passive recreational activities, and lower preference rates in active recreational activities, as compared to their male counterparts, more especially in activities that demand more physical exertion. However, among all the mentioned active activities, female teachers only scored a high preference rate in netball. Furthermore, participation on social media was the only activity that had an equal preference rate in all age groups and across all genders of the school teachers. Therefore, this study suggested that recreational service providers should provide a variety of recreational activities that could integrate gender mainstreaming into the recreational system. Also, awareness campaigns on the importance of balancing both active and passive preferences should be implemented in rural areas of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Keywords: Active Recreation, Gender, Passive Recreation, Recreational Preferences.