A STUDY ON UNDERSTANDING OF LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES AMONG SELF-HELP GROUPS FEMALES: AN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE
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Abstract
Background and Purpose: Leisure is often defined either as a quality of experience or as free time—time not devoted to work, household duties, education, or essential activities such as eating and sleeping. Previous studies, have shown that women who engage in leisure activities with peers develop positive social and self-identity. This study aims to assess the leisure time patterns and activities of Self-Help Group (SHG) members in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to identify their training needs and provide insights for future interventions.
Methods: The study was conducted in collaboration with two Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Varanasi: World Literacy of Canada and Yuva Gramya Vikash Samiti. A total of ten SHGs, comprising 184 female respondents, were purposively selected. Data were gathered through structured personal interviews using an interview schedule specifically developed for the study. The collected data were processed and analyzed using SPSS version 16.0, applying descriptive statistical tools such as the chi-square (χ²) test.
Results: The study revealed that 57.8% of respondents had more than four hours of leisure time. The duration of leisure time was significantly higher among members of NGO-I compared to NGO-II, as women in NGO-I were less engaged in activities beyond routine household work. In NGO-I, a higher proportion of women engaged in idle or unproductive activities such as bidi rolling, agarbatti making, gossiping, and watching TV (42.2%). Conversely, NGO-II members showed higher participation in productive activities such as dairying, bead making, and sewing (34.0%).
Conclusion: The study highlights varying leisure time patterns and activities among SHG members. It suggests that while some women engage in unproductive activities, others participate in more constructive tasks. These findings emphasize the need for targeted training programs to enhance the productive use of leisure time, particularly for women in NGO-I.