Social Studies Elective, Home Economics
Leisure
Syllabus:
6.4 Leisure
1. Defining leisure and determining its function and value in today’s
society
2. Influences on leisure patterns, to include:
a) social and
b) cultural influences,
c) occupation,
d) age,
e) gender
3. The role of individual and family leisure activities in physical, social
and emotional development
4. Evaluation of the leisure facilities available in the community, to
include a cost and value comparison of two facilities (Higher Level Only)
1.
Defining Leisure
Leisure can be defined as

Time that is free from work and study.

Time available for ease and relaxation.

Being involved in activities that are viewed as enjoyable.
Function and Value of Leisure in Today’s Society:
Leisure time…

Contributes to the social, emotional, physical and intellectual
development of a person.

Provides relaxation and relieves stress from everyday life.

Helps develop new skills.

Encourages physical well being.

Furthers social interaction (benefits individual and community).
2. Influences on Leisure Patterns, to Include:
a) Social
1. The leisure activities of a person may depend on if they are from a high,
middle or lower socio-economic status.
2. The local amenities in the area influence the different leisure activities.
© PDST Home Economics
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Social Studies Elective, Home Economics
3. Income/money available will influence the different leisure activities
because some activities require money or membership fees e.g. golf clubs.
4. Trends change quickly. Dancing has become very popular because of shows
like Dancing with the Stars and Dancing on Ice.
b) Cultural Influences
A person’s culture can influence their choice of leisure activities
1. Certain sports are linked with certain countries e.g. Hurling in Ireland,
Basketball in USA.
2. Music and dance are also influenced by the culture of the area e.g. Irish
Dancing in Ireland, Salsa dancing in Latin America.
3. The culture in the family influences the leisure activities. If family
members play musical instruments then more likely to play musical
instruments.
c) Occupation
1. How much a person earns may affect the choice of leisure activities, as
some are expensive and outside the reach of low-paid workers.
2. The number of hours an individual works, shift work, overtime are all
factors that influence the time available for leisure patterns.
3. Sometimes leisure is part of or an extension of work. People may need to
bring clients out to dinner or golfing as a way of networking and meeting
possible new clients.
4. Many people choose leisure activities that are completely different to
their jobs e.g. a person who spends must of their day sitting down may
choose to a leisure activity that involves a lot of energy.
d) Age
1. Age is a factor which can influence leisure patterns because as people get
older, their energy levels decrease.
2. Age may also influence the amount of money a person has and the amount
of money that can be spent on leisure. Young, single people would not have
the same expenses as a family with a mortgage.
3. Young people have time for leisure activities while people with young
children and mortgages do not have as much time to spend on leisure
activities.
4. Interests can vary depending on age e.g. a young girl may enjoy dancing
but as she gets older may prefer going to the gym.
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Social Studies Elective, Home Economics
e) Gender
This means if a person is a male or a female.
1. While both genders play most sports, some sports are still mainly played
by men or women e.g. men play rugby, women go to dancing lessons.
2. Certain crafts are also linked to certain genders e.g. sewing/embroidery
linked to women while car maintenance linked to men.
3. The amount of time available to engage in leisure activities is often
influenced by gender. Career women often have less leisure time than their
partners.
4. The Role of Individual and Family Leisure Activities in Physical, Social
and Emotional Development
Leisure can help a person’s physical, social, intellectual and emotional developments
Physical
Social Development Intellectual
Emotional
Development
Development
Development
 Physical fitness.
 Meeting new
 Powers of
 Confidence and
 Muscle toning.
people in clubs.
concentration are
self-esteem is
 Weight control.
 Communication
developed e.g. card boosted.
 Good health and
skills e.g. team
games.
 Inner-space
well-being.
sports.
 Decision-making
activities allow
 Listening skills e.g. skills are developed people to time to
drama.
e.g. quizzes.
relax e.g. yoga.
 Analysis of
 A sense of
situations e.g. card belonging by
games and debating. becoming part of a
team.
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Social Studies Elective, Home Economics
5. Evaluation of the Leisure Facilities Available in the Community, to
Include a Cost and Value Comparison of Two Facilities – Higher Level Only
Types of
Facility
Membership
Fees
Physical
Benefits
Leisure Centre
Book Club
€500 + per month
Cost of the Book to be Read
-Improves fitness
-Strengthens muscles
-Leads to a healthy heart
Emotional
-Relaxes and leads to stress
Benefits
relief
-Enables people to switch off
from work
-Provides a sense of
achievement
Intellectual
-Learning how to operate
Benefits
physical machines
-Development of hand-eye coordination
Social Benefits -Opportunity to meet friends
-Opportunity to meet new
people
-Sets up social contacts for
future leisure opportunities
Value for
-Many activities under one roof
Money
-Provides for physical, mental
and social needs
-Should be used regularly to be
financially viable
Time Required -Varies depending on chosen
activity; one hour or more for
workout
Value to the
-Increases employment in the
community
community
-Only suitable for those who can
afford it
-Limited physical benefits as
reader is sitting down or lying
down
-Relaxes and leads to stress
relief
-Allows people to switch off from
work
-Provides a sense of achievement
-Powers of concentration
-Analysis of situations
-Forming opinions and ideas
-Opportunity to meet friends
-Opportunity to meet new people
-Good value for money as books,
once read, can be resold if
desired
-Varies depending on the type and
length of the book
-Generates social interaction in
rural areas
-Suitable for the majority of
people in the community
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