Divergent experiences of family leisure: Fathers, mothers, and young adolescents

Mothers, fathers, and young adolescents in 55 European American families carried pagers for one week and reported on their experience at random times when signaled. All family members indicated high levels of freedom during family and home leisure activities, but they differed on other dimensions. Mothers reported less positive affect than fathers. Mothers' role of family caretaker may make it harder to enjoy family leisure, while fathers, whose family role is often defined as 'primary breadwinner", may find it easier to use this time for diversion and self-expression. Adolescents experienced lower intrinsic motivation and less positive affect than parents during family leisure. Adolescents have a larger, more rewarding arena of non- family leisure that may better serve their developmental needs.