1. Abstract
Gender mainstreaming in the choices of leisure is a bone of contention among researchers
striving to address equality in regards to participation. The purpose of this study was to
determine gender differences in participation and choices of vigorous and light leisure
activities among students at the University of Venda. A quantitative survey design was
employed. A purposive sample of 150 respondents residing on University campus
participated in the study. Percentages were used to report frequencies of the responses, while
the Pearson `s chi square test was used to examine differences among the variables stratified
by gender. Results established no significant gender differences with the values ( (df = 4) =
2.196; p > 0.843), ( (df = 4) = 0.33; p > 1.000), ( (df = 4) = 0.777; p > 0.952), ( (df = 4)
= 1.15; p > 0.890), in participation and choices of vigorous and light leisure activities,
respectively. The findings also show that there are some specific activities which men and
women reported as having different choices and different trends in participation. It was
recommended that sport and recreation officers at the University of Venda should strive to
strike a balance in the provision of leisure activities by catering for both vigorous and light
leisure activities as well as diversifying in the provision of such opportunities.
Keywords: Gender differences, Vigorous leisure activities, light leisure activities, choices,
participation
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2. Declaration
I declare that “Gender differences in participation and choices of leisure activities among
students at the University of Venda” is my own work and it has not been submitted for any
degree in any University. All sources I have used or quoted have been indicated and
acknowledged as references.
MAHLANGU ABERSON
Signed...
November 2011
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3. DEDICATIONS
This research document is dedicated to my parents my mother Juliet Mahlangu, my father
Abiot Mahlangu, and my brothers and sisters.
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4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would love to thank the sincere support and assistance which I was given by
• My supervisor Mr K Lekgothoane, for his constructive guidance which kept me
focused.
• Dr D Goon, for his expert support, scholarly advice and guidance throughout the
process.
• Students at the University of Venda who willingly participated as my sample of the
study.
• Lois, Melissa and Rutendo, for helping me on distributing questionnaires and
tabulation of data.
• Friends like Sakala, Naka Memukeli Darion, Xander, and Ranga, for emotional
support and motivation.
This study would not have been completed without your love, support, assistance,
guidance, care, motivation and your intelligence guys. I wish you the best in all walks of
your lives.
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