An exploration of women's leisure within heterosexual romantic relationships

The present study explored how ideologies of femininity and romantic love are played out in heterosexual romantic relationships and how they influence and structure women's leisure. A qualitative approach was used to investigate the leisure lives of 13 women who were between the ages of 19 and 24 and who had been involved in heterosexual romantic relationships of at least six months duration. Analysis showed that the women valued their romantic relationships and placed a high priority on leisure with their partners. This emphasis often resulted in satisfying couple leisure for the women. However, it also led to conflicts in their romantic relationships over leisure with friends and family, and constraints to their non-couple leisure. The women typically responded to these conflicts through accommodation of their partners' needs and wishes. Nevertheless, some of the women attempted to resist constraints on their non-couple leisure. The study provides evidence to suggest that while leisure can facilitate meaningful relationships between intimate partners, involvement in romantic relationships can also constrain women's leisure.