A different leisure activity for Turkish women: Invitation Day

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the activities of Turkish women during lnvitation Daysregular occasions when women, on a reciprocal basis, host other women coming to their homes to spend time in each other's company. A questionnaire, administered in a face-to-face situation, was used to collect data from 379 women participating in lnvitation Days in Eskisehir province, Turkey. The results of analyzing the Likert-scale responses show highest statistical means for eating and drinking, conversation about current subjects and handwork and knitting, and lowest means for playing a musical instrument and wood painting. ANOVA results show significant differences between Turkish women's lnvitation Day leisure activities when socio-economic and demographic data and frequency of participation in lnvitation Days are considered.

Leisure activity preferences and constraints: perspectives from Turkey

“…Contrary, and yet congruent with previous studies (Koca et al, 2009;Sönmez et al, 2010), males had no greater leisure activity preferences than females except related to social as well as cultural, educational and artistic interests. Perhaps the changing social roles of women have occurred in the perceptions of these female college students relative to stereotypical activities such as sports and outdoor recreation.…”

“…On the constraints subscales, the lack of partners was the least constraining factor for women and the only subscale where males had greater constraints than females. Activities such as visitation days (Sönmez et al, 2010) may be an example of how Turkish women actively seek other women as leisure partners. The findings related to women having fewer constraints related to finding leisure partners have also been uncovered in other countries (e.g., Jackson & Henderson, 1995).…”

“…Although some researchers have examined leisure in Turkey from qualitative perspectives (e.g., Koca et al, 2009, Sönmez et al, 2010, more remains to be understood about the underlying aspects of the individuals that contributes to leisure preferences and perceptions about constraints. Qualitative studies may allow for a better understanding of how leisure is defined and conceptualized in the minds of respondents and could also illuminate better the relationships between the cognitive and affective understandings of culture and how people interpret their understanding of leisure behaviour.…”

“…Especially in cities, women from diverse backgrounds have become more active in sports and fitness. Few organizations such as Ladies Locals (i.e., a fitness programme for women only; Koca et al, 2009) and Invitation Days (i.e., gatherings in women's homes where they socialize; Sönmez, Argan, Sabirli, & Sevil, 2010) have provided opportunities for women in addition to their leisure interactions with men. However, as is true in most countries, change in gender roles and opportunities has been slow (Henderson, Bialeschki, Shaw, & Freysinger, 1996).…”