Keywords
Gender
Leisure Time
Middle-Class Families
Time Allocation
How to Cite
Abstract
The present study tries to investigate the gendered disparities in leisure time allocation among middle-aged men and women (N=280) from middle-class Bengali families in Kolkata. Data collected via a self-administered questionnaire were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, including independent samples t-tests, a two-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analysis. The results reveal statistically significant gender-based differences in time use. Independent t-tests confirmed that men dedicate significantly more time to paid work (p=0.002) and total leisure (p=0.005), while women bear a disproportionately larger share of housework (p<0.001) and childcare (p<0.001). A two-way ANOVA further identified a significant interaction effect between gender and parental status (p=0.017), indicating that motherhood imposes a unique and substantial penalty on leisure time that is not experienced by fathers. Furthermore, correlation analysis established a significant negative relationship between hours of housework and total leisure time (r = -0.58, p<0.01), and a significant positive correlation between a desire for more leisure and time spent on domestic labour (r = 0.35, p<0.01). The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these pre-existing disparities. The findings conclusively demonstrate that leisure inequality is not a matter of preference but is structurally determined by gendered roles within the household. Thus the study provides quantitative, inferential evidence that aligns with global patterns and underscores the urgent need for a more equitable division of domestic labour to enhance well-being and life satisfaction.
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