THE INTEREST FOR AND PARTICIPATION IN CULTURAL LEISURE
ACTIVITIES: A STUDY OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN UNDERGRADUATE
LEISURE STUDIES COURSES
Denis Auger, University of Ottawa
Don Dawson, University of Ottawa
Francois Gravelle, University of
Ottawa George Kadis, University of
Ottawa Jean-Claude Pageot,
University of Ottawa Antoine
Zalatan, University of Ottawa
An extensive series of research studies on culture and leisure has been conducted in the field of
leisure studies (see Dieser, 1997; Karlis & Dawson, 1995; Neider, 1990; Hall & Rhyne, 1989;
Dembrowski, 1988). These studies focus mostly on examining the relationship between culture
and leisure rather than understanding the cultural leisure pursuits engaged in by one specific
group. Few studies have attempted to examine the interest and participation of segmented groups
in cultural leisure activities. One of these, a study by Karlis (1993) examined the preferences and
participation of Greek immigrants in Canada while defining cultural leisure activities as media,
social and arts activities. A further study by Aguilar (1990) looked at the recreation pursuits of
Mexicans in the U.S.A., and defined cultural leisure activities as those being representative of
Mexican culture or the dominant mainstream society.
In Canada, a series of studies has examined the preferred leisure activities of Canadians (see
Searle & Brayley, 1994), yet each of these was simply concerned with examining the most
frequently participated recreation activities of society, while taking into consideration all potential
activity choices. Research conducted in Canada is limited in analysis of selected types of
activities by segmented groups. Homa (1996) in her recent text, argues that in Canada young
adults tend to prefer more active activities yet she claims that little research exists and more is
needed to better understand the various types of leisure activities and the interests of this group.
This study addresses the need for further research of the types of leisure pursuits engaged in by
young Canadians. For the purposes of this study, the concept "cultural leisure activities" as
appearing in a study conducted by the Quebec government is adapted. This concept is defined as
the "....".
The purpose of this study is to examine the interest for and participation in cultural leisure
activities for undergraduate students enrolled in leisure studies courses at the University of
Ottawa. In this study, cultural leisure activities refers to: (1) reading for pleasure, (2) buying
works of arts and crafts, (3) attending theatre performances (plays), and (4) attending music
recitals (concerts).
The methodology used to collect data was a convenience type of sample. The preliminary
results are based on the distribution of the questionnaire to two senior level undergraduate
leisure studies classes (total of 135 students). The final results will consist of the analysis of data
from questionnaires to be distributed to roughly ten large undergraduate classes of all years
(consisting of a total of about 500 students).
The respondents of the preliminary results were 93 (68.9%) females and 42 (31.9%) males. The
mean age was 22.5 years and with a standard deviation of 3.6 years. Ninety-nine (73.3%) of the
respondents identified English as their first language; 23 (17.0%) indicated French; whereas, 13
(9.6%) mentioned that a language outside of English or French was their first language. In
addition, the majority of students surveyed were in third year (67 or 49.6%). Fifty-three (39.3%)
were in fourth year; 11 (8.1%) were in second year; and, only 4 (3.0%) were in first year.
The results indicated that the most favourite leisure time activities are sports, socializing with
family and friends, and watching T.V. and movies. Very few respondents mentioned cultural
leisure activities as favourites. Female respondents read magazines more than males. Usually they
read fashion magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Mademoiselle, Elle, Vogue, or Chatelaine. Half of
the respondents "never" or "rarely" read books other than those required for school. Two-thirds
claimed that they "don't have enough time" but one-third stated that they are "not interested"
in reading more. About 95% of respondents listen to music "often" but virtually no one listens to
classical music "most often". Almost half of the respondents have bought works of art or crafts in
the last year . Moreover, nearly one-third of the respondents have not gone to the theatre in the last
year and about two-thirds have only gone once or twice. The main reason for not going to the
theatre more is that the cost is "too high" but many say they "prefer the cinema". Finally, almost
two-thirds of the-respondents have not-gone to a classical music concert during the last year,
with many saying that they are simply "not interested". On the other had, nearly 8 out of 10 had
gone to a "popular music or comedy" performance. Only about 10% of respondents have
bought tickets to classical, jazz or folk dance performances in the last year, but more than twothirds bought tickets to a "sporting event or car race".
References
Aguilar, T. E. (1990). The relationship of participation in ethnic leisure activity and strength of
ethnic Identity: Preliminary findings. In B.J.A. Smale (Ed.) Leisure challenges: Bringing people,
resources, and policy into play Proceedings: The 6th Canadian Congress on Leisure Research
(pp.151-157). Waterloo, ON: Ontario Research Council on Leisure.
Dembrowski, K. (1988). Survey on recreation for ethnic older adults. Toronto, ON: Ontario
Ministry of Tourism and Recreation.
Dieser, R. (1997). Pluralistic leadership in recreation and leisure planning: Understanding minority
ethnic identity development. Journal of Leisurability, 24(3), 33-37.
Karlis, G. (1993). The Relationship Between Cultural Recreation and Cultural Identity Among
Greek Immigrants of Toronto. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Michigan State
University, East Lansing, Michigan.
Karlis, G., & Dawson, D. (1995). Ethnicity and recreation: Concepts, approaches and programming.
Canadian Ethnic Studies, 27(2): 167-180.
Hall, M.. H., & Rhyme, D. (1989). Leisure behaviour and recreation needs of Ontario's
ethnocultural populations. Toronto, ON: Ontario Ministry of Tourism and
Recreation.
Horna, J. (1996). The study of leisure. Toronto, ON: Oxford.
Neider, D. (1990). The many faces of Canada: Multiculturalism and recreation strategies for
action. Recreation Canada, 44(3), 27-26.
Searle, M., & Brayley, R. (1993). Leisure services in Canada: An introduction. State College,
PA: Venture.
Contact Information: Don Dawson, Department of Leisure Studies, University of Ottawa, Ottawa,
ON, KIN 6N5. E-mail: DDAWSQN@UOTTAWA.CA Phone: (613) 562-5855 Fax: (613) 5625206
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ABSTRACTS
of Papers Presented at the
Ninth Canadian Congress on Leisure Research
May 12 - 15, 1999
Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Editor: Paul Heintzman
Assisted by: Karen Naugler and Sean Smith
Printed and bound by Acadia University Printing Services
Copyright © 1999 Canadian Association of Leisure Studies
Organizing Team for the Ninth Canadian Congress on Leisure Research:
Glyn Bissix
Tom Delamere
Paul Heintzman
Scott Hennigar
Susan Markham-Starr
Heidi McKinnon
Neil Munro
Karen Naugler
Brenda Robertson
Jerry Singleton
I
The Canadian Congress on Leisure Research
Is held under the auspices of the
Canadian Association for Leisure Studies
Le Congres canadien de la recherche en loisir
se tient sous les auspices de
L'Association canadienne d'etudes en loisir
BOARD OF DIRECTORS/CONSEIL D'ADMINISTRATION
1996-1999
President/Presidente
Past President/President-sortant
Dr. Edgar L. Jackson
University of Alberta
Dr. Susan M. Shaw
University of Waterloo
Vice-President & Treasurer
Vice-president et tresorier
Secretary/Secretaire
Robert Soubrier
Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres
Dr. Tom Hinch
University of Alberta
Directors/Directeurs
Dr. Linda Caldwell Pennsylvania State
University
Dr. Don Dawson Universite
d'Ottawa
Dr. Wendy Frisby
University of British Columbia
Dr. Colleen Hood Dalhousie
University
Dr. Susan Markham-Starr Acadia
University
Dr. Gaetan Ouellet
Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres
Dr. Lisa Ostiguy Concordia
University
Dr. Bryan Smale University of
Waterloo
Dr. Paul F. Wilkinson York
University
II