Qualitative Study on Leisure Career Interruptions: The Experience of Married Mothers in South Korea

초록

Existing research on leisure constraints has primarily focused on short-term barriers that affect most leisure participants. However, leisure career interruption represents a more long-term, macro-level challenge, particularly for serious leisure participants seeking to develop a sustained leisure path. This study aims to conceptualize leisure career interruption by examining the experiences of South Korean mothers and exploring how they experience, interpret, and adapt to these interruptions. Using in-depth interviews with 11 South Korean mothers, thematic analysis, following the approach outlined by Braun and Clarke (2021), identified five key themes: (1) life stage transitions, (2) social pressure to prioritize family roles, (3) sociocultural gaslighting and psychological thresholds, (4) lack of spousal support and a sense of deprivation, and (5) adopting new leisure activities as a coping strategy. The findings reveal that entrenched gender roles, cultural expectations, and psychological barriers significantly hinder women’s ability to sustain their leisure careers. Despite these challenges, participants expressed a strong desire to resume or adapt their leisure pursuits. By recognizing serious leisure as essential to personal fulfillment, this study underscores the need for structural and societal support to help women navigate and overcome barriers to maintaining a leisure career.

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