Exploratory Study on Family Leisure Constraints of the Twochild Family in China

Abstract

Driven by the two-child policy, there are more and more two-child families in China. The purpose of this research was to examine the leisure constraints of these families in Chinese urban areas. Based on interviews with the parents from 12 families and the leisure constraint theory, the main factors are identified. First, intrapersonal constraints, which include personal physical constraints (such as insufficient postpartum recovery) and psychological constraints(such as stress). Second, interpersonal constraints, which mainly come from family members (such as family support) and friends (such as narrowing social circles). Third, structural constraints, like family income, climate conditions, facilities, free time for leisure. Besides, the study also discovered a new type of constraint-cultural constraints, which is embodied in familism. This factor is close to the other three constraints and affects them. Based on this, the research proposed a new hierarchical model of leisure constraints. Finally, the article puts forward some suggestions for future research on family leisure under the influence of the two-child policy.