The analysis of Compulsory Secondary Education students' family leisure time in Galicia

INTRODUCTION. The family, as a socializing agent, has a great weight in the construction of leisure itineraries; since it exerts a great influence on the configuration of the recreational activities that its children experience during the infant and juvenile stage. In addition, gender is a significant factor that affects the family sphere and the peer group; differences are observed in the time available, the type of activities carried out and the configuration of the time spent together. METHOD. This paper's objectives are: 1) to analyse the importance of Compulsory Secondary Education students' family leisure time according to their parents' level of education and 2) to study the influence of gender in family leisure practices. The methodology used is quantitative, using a questionnaire designed ad hoc to collect information, with a total of 2,187 valid cases. RESULTS. The data obtained report a directly proportional relationship between the educational level of the parents and the importance given to leisure within the family, as well as the existence of notable gender differences: while girls opt for artistic-cultural activities or shopping, physical-sports practice and the use of technology continue to be more male-biased. DISCUSSION. The conclusions point to the existence of an educational and gender gap in family leisure time that is especially detrimental to women. In these circumstances, the following are proposed as challenges for the Pedagogy-Education of Leisure: on the one hand, to revalue family leisure time as a key agent in the transition towards a more autonomous and healthy leisure; and on the other hand, to educate in leisure that overcomes gender biases.