Research update: recreation across ethnicity: people of different races often seek contrasting recreation opportunities.

By the year 2020, the population of the United States is projected to increase from 284 million to 325 million. Along with the increase is a restructuring of race proportions. The Caucasian population is expected to decrease from 76 percent to 50 percent, while the African-American population will increase from 12 percent to 15 percent, and Hispanics will rise from nine percent of the population to 21 percent (Cordell, Betz & Green, 2002).

In anticipation of this change, leisure professionals will need to consider demographic-driven programming factors when deciding what leisure activities to provide in their communities. In order to address these changing demographics, leisure service providers should have an understanding of past research dealing with minority group leisure participation and the constraints to participation by these groups.

From this, several strategies for future program implementation can be developed. Although there are several perspectives on how to delineate minority groups, this article will focus on the two largest minority groups-African Americans and Hispanics. Greater emphasis can be placed on African Americans simply because more research has been done in this area.

Despite its importance, many leisure researchers have ignored race as a factor when examining leisure behavior (Philipp, 2000). However, just like other aspects of people's lives, ethnicity has a significant impact on leisure including activity choices, frequency, location, types of activities, and how an individual participates.

Thus, it is now even more important for leisure professionals to provide diverse programming that will get all members of the community involved (Patterson, 2003). In order to do this, it is important to have an understanding of preferred activities and perceptions of park spaces by the groups of interest.

Several studies have examined the differences in leisure activities and patterns among racial groups. Philipp (1998) argued that the leisure preferences of adults are strongly influenced by leisure experiences they had in the youth and adolescent years. Yet race is an under-represented variable in the majority of adolescent leisure research. Because of this, he studied high school students and the impact of race and gender on adolescent peer group approval of activities.

Results from his research indicated that African Americans felt their peer group was more likely to approve of them playing basketball, going to the mall, singing in a choir and dancing, while Caucasian adolescents felt their peer groups would approve of playing soccer, horseback riding, water skiing, camping, fishing and golf. Both groups had similar ratings for watching television, bowling and reading.

Cordell, Betz, and Green (2002) examined outdoor recreation behaviors and attitudes based on socio-demographic variables. They identified the 10 most popular activities including hiking, motor boating and outdoor team sports among individuals. The results from this study showed that walking was popular among all races and Caucasians favored motor boating, Hispanics favored hiking and African Americans favored outdoor team sports.

Payne, Mowen, & Orsega-Smith (2002) looked at uses of and the need for urban park land. They found that African Americans preferred open spaces that serve a recreation function, such as sporting-related facilities (e.g., baseball fields and paved trails). On the other hand, Caucasians tended to view park space for land and wildlife conservation and preferred more nature-based activities. Floyd and Shinew (1999) studied interracial contact and leisure preferences. They found that Caucasians preferred to participate in activities such as gardening, hiking, swimming and camping, while African Americans preferred activities such as shopping and church functions.

There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of sports, listening to music and having picnics. It was also found that interracial contact between blacks and whites was least likely to occur in the home, church, neighborhood and parks. Furthermore, blacks and whites with low interracial contact had significantly different leisure preferences, while those with high levels of interracial contact had more similarities.

Chavez (2002) suggested that although there were differences in activity participation, sometimes the same activities among different racial groups may vary in the way they are enjoyed. She cited the example of picnicing. Caucasians often prepare the food at home, usually only include a few individuals and typically spend only a few hours at the park. Hispanics will often-prepare the food at the park, include a larger group of friends and family and spend the whole day there.

Individual preferences also tend to vary by location such as urban or rural areas. Woodward (1988) conducted a study among African Americans in Chicago to examine their leisure activity preferences. He found that individuals who lived in urban areas chose to spend leisure time engaged in informal domestic activities such as watching television, listening to the radio and socializing with friends and family.

Although much early leisure behavior research disregarded race and ethnicity as a contributing variable, this is changing as more researchers consider race and ethnicity--especially as it pertains to the African-American and Hispanic populations. In addition to activity preferences, the reasons different minority populations do not participate in great numbers influences how agencies reach them.

There have been several purposed hypotheses to try to understand the relationship between race and constraints to participation--factors that limit participation in leisure activities. One idea, the ethnicity hypothesis, states that ethnic and racial participation result from culturally based differences in values, norms and socialization patterns (Chavez, 2002).

Using the ethnicity hypothesis, constraints such as the lack of training or skills to participate are evident. Patterson (2003) identified that fishing and boating were highly desired activities among Hispanics and African Americans, although they did not participate readily in them. The lack of instruction and unfamiliarity with the availability and location of activities prevented a majority of individuals from taking part. Lack of skills and availability may be due to culturally based differences in exposure to recreation opportunities.

Finally, lack of racial diversity at parks and programs has limited participation among some individuals. Several individuals have stated that they feel uncomfortable or unwelcome in certain settings. Many Hispanics choose not to participate because of the perception of discrimination, the fear of not being liked, possible language barriers, and lack of other Hispanics (McChesney, Gerken & McDonald, 2005). Many African Americans choose not to participate in activities that Caucasians predominately partake in for reasons such as not wanting to conform to activities stereotyped as Caucasian and wanting to choose activities that more closely adhere to cultural norms (Shinew, Floyd & Parry, 2004).

In conclusion, leisure is an important tool to allow individuals of different racial and culture groups to interact with one another. Shinew, Glover and Parry (2004) proposed that leisure can be a very beneficial way to bring people of different racial groups together because it is a freely chosen activity and setting. Leisure is very beneficial to the quality of our day-to-day life and should not be overlooked or regarded as unimportant.

Leisure offers many benefits and individuals should not be excluded due to financial, racial or social constraints. A review of past literature, sheds some light on different racial groups preferences. Because of changing demographics in the United States, this issue will become even more important with time. It is the job of leisure professionals and local government to offer diverse programming and adequate facilities so all individuals are given the chance to participate. Proper demographic assessment, advertising, racial inclusion in the program planning process, facility and transportation availability and understanding of culture and values of various groups are steps towards remedying this problem.

Research in Action: Strategies for Future Program Implementation

* Before a leisure professional can offer programs for all citizens, a concentrated effort to learn more about the community needs to take place. A population census of the community should be conducted. This can be partially done by looking at government census information, although a thorough examination of the area should also be undertaken. Most public agencies have a general idea of racial and ethnic community composition, but extensive data is needed regarding demographic, sociodemographic and psychographic information, such as values, attitudes, preferences, hobbies and recreation preferences. It would be shortsighted to attempt to diversify programming before first knowing the population and the racial and ethnic makeup of the community.

* Needs assessments should be conducted to determine what type of activities different racial or ethnic communities would like to have and what participation constraints are faced. Then recreation agencies should provide programming that is racially and ethnically diverse and allow individuals to learn and enjoy other cultures through programs and events that involve, for example, international food, visual arts or performing arts fairs. This can be accomplished by organizing an advisory board to oversee park programs to ensure that they are racially and ethnically diverse (Hibbler & Shinew, 2002).

* Since economic constraints are very real to many sectors of the population, a potential way to overcome this constraint would be to (a) establish a fund to subsidize programs for families, (b) ask for donations of unwanted or used equipment to refurbish and give to children who need it, (c) develop a "round up" program where people registering for programs are asked to round up their registration fees to the nearest $1, $5 or $10 to help support people who cannot afford programs.

* Many departments offer program fee subsidy programs, yet they are not known to the public. Adequate and targeted advertising could help to remedy this situation.

* Ask instructors to periodically teach a class for free in a low-income part of the city.

* Many individuals have also reported that transportation is a constraint to participation. Agencies could offer local residents transportation to some activities for free or negotiate with the local bus system to allow residents access to free transportation if participating in a park program. It is recognized that the success of these ideas rely heavily on local government and private subsidization.

* Offer programs where the people are. This may mean branching out and running programs in non-traditional locations, such as churches, malls or local schools. These closer locations reduce the need for transportation and eliminate a constraint to participation.

* In order for minority groups to feel welcomed, leisure professionals should attempt to understand their culture, traditions, language and values. For example, many Hispanics would not participate in an activity unless they are formally invited (McChesney, Gerken & McDonald, 2005). Park agencies should provide training for their staff to learn about the cultural differences among minority groups. Once this is accomplished, leisure professionals will have the necessary tools to develop programming that would attract minority groups within their community.

* Chavez (2002) identified that inviting, including, and involving individuals of different races is one of the most effective tools to diversify participants. Inviting individuals can be as simple as including different racial groups in literature, brochures, or posters. It is also important for agencies to include individuals in the planning process, such as gathering community input on a new park or by hiring them as staff. By hiring individuals of different races, participants feel more included in the process and might feel more welcomed. Leisure professionals need to develop programming with minority groups instead of creating a program and then trying to attract them. Working with area churches, social groups and racially and ethnically segmented neighborhoods gives agencies the contacts, input, and support needed to help programs succeed.

* Since some minority groups feel unwelcome at programs, concerted efforts need to be made to reverse this. For example, training staff on diversity issues, hiring a more diverse staff, showing diversity in marketing efforts (e.g., pictures depicting minority groups, signs in multiple languages) are positive steps.

References

Chavez, D.J. (2002). Invite, include, and involve! Racial groups, ethnic groups, and leisure. In M. Allison & I. Schneider (Eds.), In Diversity and the Recreation Profession: Organizational Perspectives. State College, PA: Venture. 179-194.

Cordell, H. K., Betz, C. J., & Green, G. T. (2002). Recreation and the environment as cultural dimensions in contemporary American society. Leisure Sciences, 24, 13-41.

Floyd, M. F. & Shinew, K. J. (1999). Convergence and divergence in leisure style among Whites and African Americans: Toward an interracial contact hypothesis. Journal of Leisure Research, 31, 359-384.

Hibbler, D. K. & Shinew, K. J. (2002, February). The role of leisure service providers in enhancing multiracial families leisure experiences. Parks & Recreation, 37,(2), 26; 28-33; 35.

McChesney, J., Gerken, M., & McDonald, K. (2005, March). Reaching out to Hispanics. Porks & Recreation, 40, (3), 74-78.

Patterson, J. (2003, February). Encouraging all citizens to participate. Porks & Recreation, 38 (2), 81-82.

Payne, L. L., Mowen, A. J., & Orsega-Smith, E. (2002). An examination of park preferences and behaviors among urban residents: The role of residential location, race, and age. Journal of Leisure Sciences, 24, 181-198.

Philipp, S. F. (1998). Race and gender differences in adolescent peer group approval of leisure activities, Journal of Leisure Research, 30, 214-232.

Philipp, S. F. (2000). Race and the pursuit of happiness. Journal of Leisure Research, 32, 121-124.

Shinew, K. J., Floyd, M. F., & Parry, D. (2004, April/June). Understanding the relationship between race and leisure activities and constraints: Exploring an alternative framework. Leisure Sciences, 26, 181-199.

Shinew, K. J., Glover, T. F., & Parry, D. (2004). Leisure spaces as potential sites for interracial interaction: Community gardens in urban areas. Journal of Leisure Research, 36, 336-355.

Woodard, M. D. (1988). Class, regionality, and leisure among urban black Americans: The post-civil rights era. Journal of Leisure Research, 7, 191-199.

Christina Bell is a master's student in Recreation and Park Administration at Illinois State University and her advisor is Dr. Amy Hurd. Dr. Hurd's research interests include management and competency development in public parks and recreation.