A Study of Gender Differences in Recreational Activities among the Retired Thai People

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study the difference of gender in the recreational activities of Thai people in the retirement age. The key variables of this study were payment for the activities, supporting factors, satisfaction in recreation, and benefits in recreational activities. The 394 respondents who joined the Ma-Kham-Wan game in Phetchabun province in 2019 were the sample of this research. The study used the convenience sampling method to collect the questionnaire from them. For the statistical analysis, the researchers employed descriptive statistics and t-test for the data analysis. The research results revealed that (1) the majority of the respondents were Female at 268 persons equal to 68 percent, approximately 80 percent was 61-70 years old, around 60 percent was Bachelor Degree, 55 percent had owned house, about 50 percent of the retired respondents had income between 450 – 750 USD per month and approximately 70 percent of the respondents paid for the recreational activities between 150 – 450 USD per time, (2) the payment for recreational activities was not significantly different between the retired female and male, (3) the financial supporting from their family had statistically significant difference between the retired female and male, but the other supporting variables like traveling and advisory supports were not significantly different between the female and male respondents, (4) the satisfaction factors both physical and psychological satisfactions had a significantly difference between the retired female and male, (5) the perception of the benefit in recreational activities between the female and male was different in the aspect of quality of life, it found that the retired female accepted this point higher than the male, and (6) the physical and stress-reduced benefits from recreational activities were not different between the female and male. The study suggests that the policymakers should promote the recreational activities for the retired Thais around the country both retired females and males. This will help to support the retirement people to have a better life quality and be healthy both physical and psychological aspects. Also, the family of retirement people should focus on their interest and satisfaction in the recreation for a healthy life and support them on benefits from recreational activities.