Spending leisure time is one of the indicators of lifestyle. Anthony Giddens considers the special feature of modernity to be dynamism, global influence, and increasing change in traditional customs. He believes that modernity allows individuals to break free from the constraints of choices imposed by tradition. In Iran, gender plays a determining role in how individuals choose to spend their leisure time, and in society, choices are limited for women. The International Sociological Association defines leisure time as a set of activities that individuals voluntarily engage in for rest, recreation, or for the purpose of developing awareness and social participation, after being freed from work, family, and social obligations. Leisure time not only provides rest and recreation, but also promotes personal growth and mental well-being, and through creativity, contributes to the spread of public culture.

The role of gender in leisure time.

He believes that the differences in leisure and how men and women spend their free time are due to their distinct roles. He also acknowledges that women have less free time compared to men, therefore their range of recreational activities is also limited. In particular, women engage in sports less than men. The concept of patriarchy plays a special role in our analysis of gender relations. In a more literary sense, fatherly power is a term we have used in a broader sense to refer to the social system defined by men’s domination over women. Women’s leisure time outside the home is often influenced by men’s actions or their own perceptions, such as fear of male violence. The feminist perspective on women’s leisure time is indicative of two things; a commitment to action and a commitment to a certain way of thinking. Such commitments can be predicted through liberating policies. In Iran, gender plays a determining role in the choice of leisure time and women’s choices in this area are limited.

Gender inequality in women’s sports in Iran

Sports is a reflection of society and its structures, including economic and political structures in which men participate. In the process of socialization, men and women are faced with a certain type of masculine and feminine world through sports. The development of sports is dependent on the social and cultural factors dominant in society. In most societies, sports activities are defined as exclusive to men. Sports is a gender-based activity, and values and skills are defined in a masculine way. In the past, women spent most of their leisure time at home, but nowadays, people’s lifestyle has changed and the concept of leisure for women has moved away from the domestic sphere. However, it seems that planners and officials still prefer women to spend their leisure time at home.

In Iran, like in other cases, there are restrictions and prohibitions for women to spend their leisure time, such as watching sports competitions and the ban on women’s presence in stadiums, which has been a source of much controversy. Social norms emphasize on being a

The presence and participation of women in urban spaces.

One of the dimensions of democracy is the existence of spaces free from power, accountable and welcoming to all members of society. The relationships between men and women in the city can be analyzed through theories of power and social inequality. The presence of women in urban spaces is inevitable, as pre-modern urban spaces in Iran were single-gendered and masculine, with women having a limited presence.

The processes of power and domination in decision-making and use of space, design and methods of imposing restrictions on space, have an impact on the presence, behavior and gender of women and men, the acceptance of space, the role of space, and the dominant and shaping flows of space, which are a reproduction of the dominant flows of social and cultural institutions. In urban spaces, “women spend their leisure time by gathering with friends, using the internet, reading, shopping and wandering in bazaars, walking, going to the hair salon, and watching TV and satellite” (Habibi, 103).

“Leisure time of housewives”

Housewives spend most of their free time talking on the phone and watching TV shows. (Ezzazi) Housewives do not have a specific work schedule, watching TV shows is their way of spending free time. These women usually do not have much free time. Women in society tend to isolate themselves socially, and in terms of free time, their social class, ethnicity, age, profession, social status, single or married status all have an impact. Many housewives do not feel satisfied with their free time, which leads to more depression for them. Housewives who cannot make the most of their free time are more prone to depression. Housewives are not affiliated with any union or profession, and they have not made any specific plans for their free time. Some women take classes such as cooking, embroidery, baking, or computer classes, language classes, driving, or sports clubs during their free time, but if there is a financial problem in the family, this is not possible for them.

Leisure time of rural women

Rural young women, due to the change in values, are not interested in agriculture, animal husbandry and poultry keeping, and they use daily wage workers for seasonal agricultural work. It seems like they have more free time, but middle-aged women, in addition to farming, also take care of animals and poultry and have less free time. Rural women in the summer have limited free time due to the large volume of work and spend most of their free time sleeping to relieve fatigue.

Women in Iran have restrictions for presence in public spaces, both culturally and in terms of suitable facilities, and there is no difference between rural, urban, housewives and female athletes, as they all have limited free time.

Some examples of women’s leisure time in Iran.

In response to the question of how you spend your free time, 39-year-old Parvin, an athlete, says: “Before, I used to work, but now because of the coronavirus, I have lost my job and am currently unemployed. I spend most of my time at home, doing household chores and making pickles and fruit preserves. I also go to the gym three days a week. In our small town, there are many obstacles for women to have leisure activities, but one must be strong and not listen to what others say in order to achieve their goals.”

Nasim, a 25-year-old computer student, also says: “I have no leisure activities and I never go to the park or for walks because the society is traditional and I spend most of my time in the virtual world and helping my mother with household chores.”

Leyla says: “I am 35 years old and I have no free time. I go to work in the morning, I

Final words

With a look at the surroundings and conversations with women from different age groups and spectrums, the average participation of women in recreational activities is lower than average. Due to gender discrimination, barriers, and structural limitations against women, they mostly spend their free time at home with domestic activities and are deprived of actively participating in social gatherings.

Notes:

1- Farzi Zadeh and others, 1396- Investigating Women’s Leisure Time in Rural Society- Women in Development and Politics.
2- Tanavar, Setareh, 1395- Examining Gender on Leisure Time- Online News and Analysis Society Website.
3- Aghili and others- Women’s Leisure Issues- Anthropology and Culture.
4- Rafatjah, Maryam- Young Girls and Leisure Time- Anthropology and Culture.
5- Azazi, Shohreh- The Most Common Way of Spending Leisure Time for Housewives- Young Online.
6- Rafatjah and others, 1389- Explaining the Sociology of Leisure Activities of Young Girls- Women’s Social Council Quarterly.
7- Naghdi and others, 1390- Cultural and Social Barriers to Women’s Participation in Sports Activities- Women in Development and Politics.
8- Habibi and others, 1396- Investigating Women’s Attitudes towards the Formation