Leisure With Children and Parental Satisfaction: Further Evidence of a Sex Difference in the Experience of Adult Roles and Leisure

While it is often claimed that leisure enhances family quality and cohesion, little empirical research exists on this relationship (Orthner & Mancini, 1990). In particular, the relationship between satisfaction with the parental role and leisure interaction with children has not been examined. Given that individuals today exercise some choice about becoming parents and that anticipated satisfactions might influence individuals' decisions to pursue the parental role (Goetting, 1986), it would seem that this is an important relationship to investigate. This study examined the leisure—parental satisfaction relationship among a group of 337 married, Euro-American parents. Results indicate that sex distinguished factors influencing satisfaction with the parental role. These results are discussed in light of existing research on gender, family and leisure.