MetaChat - I'm trying to find an article

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20 June 2011

I'm trying to find an article I read in the last year or so online. It was a study suggesting that when it comes to free time, in general, men will choose hobbies that are fun, while women will choose hobbies that require responsibility. Does anyone know the one I mean? My google skills are failing.

post by: ThePinkSuperhero at: 20:04 | 15 comments

The thing that really drives me crazy is that I feel like I either posted or linked to it HERE.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 20 June | 20:10

Doesn't sound like something I would find fun to read.

posted by Ardiril 20 June | 20:47

that is ringing a bell, but I can't think of where I read it.

posted by gaspode 20 June | 21:10

I would like to read that! I hope you find it.

posted by amro 20 June | 21:15

If we can't find it tonight on Mecha, I'm posting tomorrow on AskMeta.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 20 June | 21:20

What kind of a hobby would be one that "requires responsibility"?

posted by Doohickie 20 June | 21:30

Taking on a volunteer job, for example.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 20 June | 21:31

Doohickie is probably as close to a responsible male as we have, except maybe Stynxno. You're not going to use this article to clobber Stynxno, are you?

posted by Ardiril 20 June | 21:48

Ah, the old "fun vs. responsible" dichotomy; been hearing that one all my life.

posted by Hugh Janus 20 June | 21:59

Why can't we be both?

posted by dg 20 June | 22:42

>insert song & dance routine here

posted by Ardiril 20 June | 23:54

What's "responsible" about say, knitting, sewing and other kinds of needlework, stained glass, painting and drawing, and writing? I could maybe buy an argument that women are more likely to choose a more productive hobby (i.e., cross-stitching vs. video games), but I'd need to see some research to back that up, because I certainly know a lot of men who have productive hobbies, such as mechanics or woodworking.

posted by Orange Swan 21 June | 07:00

but I'd need to see some research to back that up

Hence the purpose of this post! :-P

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 21 June | 08:22

To AskMeta it goes!

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 21 June | 09:18

And found! AskMeta is the best. Here is the portion I was thinking of:

Linda Sax, a professor of education at U.C.L.A. and former director of the freshman study who uses the data in research about college gender gaps, said the gap between men and women on emotional well-being was one of the largest in the survey. “One aspect of it is how women and men spent their leisure time,” she said. “Men tend to find more time for leisure and activities that relieve stress, like exercise and sports, while women tend to take on more responsibilities, like volunteer work and helping out with their family, that don’t relieve stress.”

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 21 June | 09:37

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