The Impact of the Transition to Parenthood on Marital Leisure

Abstract

A longitudinal study examined whether the transition to parenthood affects the amount of time spouses pursue leisure activities-both together and apart-and the degree to which they pursue leisure activities they particularly enjoy. Results indicated that (a) new parents and childless couples do not differ in the amount of time they spend in leisure activities both spouses like, (b) parenthood reduces the amount of time new fathers engage in leisure activities independently, (c) parenthood increases the amount of time couples pursue activities together that are liked by the wife but not the husband, and (d) parenthood reduces the amount of time wives pursue leisure activities they dislike but their husbands like. The results show that parenthood restricts husbands' independent leisure pursuits and increases the extent to which spouses' leisure activities reflect the preferences of wives rather than husbands.