Comparison of Senior Leisure Activities in China and the United States from the Perspective of Cultural Differences

Abstract

Leisure activities are important in older adults’ life. With the higher mobility and internationalization of population, the leisure behavior and habits of older adults in different countries have become a popular topic among international scholars. This study was to compare the different leisure activities of older adults in two countries—the US and China—to discuss the possible reasons for the differences from traditional and social-cultural aspects. The sample data (192 Chinese aged over 60) was collected in a metropolis in China—Hangzhou—and was compared with data undertaken by Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) published in American Time Use Survey (ATUS). We found that older adults in the US and China spend similar daily leisure time on average; watching TV and walking are the most popular choices of indoor and outdoor leisure activities, respectively, by both Americans and Chinese. Surfing the Internet, communicating with others (indoor) and traditional activities (leisure activities from ancient China, like Taiji, sword dancing, etc.), and physical exercises (outdoor) are the second most popular choices of Chinese older adults; while socializing, reading, working out, and using sports technology equipment for outdoor exercising are popular among older adults in the US. Possible reasons for the differences were discussed from individual differences and collectivist cultures, independent and dependent habits, reliance on family, early education, and the value of young mentality versus conservative spirit.