The understanding of leisure among the Maltese is quite varied. When asked to provide a definition in their own words, an element of consensus did emerge however. The most common definition given could be summarised under the phrase: 'something which has nothing to do with work', which was mentioned by 41.7% of all respondents.

This was very closely followed by 'a way of life' (40%), 'time left over after I serve my duties' (34%) and finally 'something which I engage in freely' (28.7%). Relatively more males (43.2%) said 'something which has nothing to do with work' than females (40.3%). The incidence of this particular definition is highest among persons aged 36-50 (46.4%) and among members of both AB and DE socio-economic groups each at 46.2%.

Dominant values

Given that leisure and free time have various meanings for different persons, this study sought to establish the extent to which the Maltese attribute different values to it. Respondents were accordingly asked to indicate what they consider most important, out of range of 1 to 10, for each of the following six values: Passive rest, Relaxation, Recreation, Having fun, Spiritual renewal, and Self-development. The value which was given No. 1 was considered to be the most important, and No. 10 the least important of the set. To facilitate the interpretation of this complex question a set of indices were computed. Each index allows for a maximum of 100 points.

In respect of the total Maltese population, the index very interestingly shows that Spiritual renewal is the least important value associated with leisure activities, scoring 61.37 points out of a maximum of 100. At the other extreme, the value which scored highest is Relaxation, at 93.57 points. This is followed by Recreation, scoring 93.27 points.

The next two values are Having fun at 87.73 points and Passive rest at 80.20. Self-development obtained 65.27 points. These rankings for the total population are extremely interesting because they show that leisure activities are not primarily appreciated for the stimulus they provide the individual to transcend the physical and reach out for those areas of self-fulfilment that are not necessarily physical or easily quantifiable. The dominant values are relaxation, recreation and fun. As such, it is not at all surprising that the Maltese are known for their general disinterest in culture as leisure activity.

The computation of separate indices for each age group is necessary to map what differences, if any, characterise the different groups. This comparative analysis is undertaken for different age groups in this study. In this respect it is extremely interesting that the younger set, aged 16-25, score lowest in associating leisure with spiritual renewal, with 48.54 points in contrast to those aged 65+ who score 77.61 points for the same value, and the national average of 61.37 points.

In effect it is quite clear that the hedonistic attitude to life is a major characteristic of Maltese society as a whole, but especially of the younger generations who most associated leisure with 'having fun' (with an index score of 90.83 points vs. the national score of 87.73). Within each age group relaxation and recreation consistently received the highest scores on the index.

Leisure activities

When specifically asked to list what activities respondents actually engage in during their free time, a staggering list of 47 different leisure activities were spontaneously given. This is proof enough of the very diverse interests the Maltese have. These range from physically inactive activities such as 'watching TV' (37.3%), 'reading books' (19.3%), 'going to the cinema' (7%), 'listening to music in general' (7%), 'going to a concert' (0.3%) among others, to more physically active leisure activities such as 'swimming' (18.3%), 'rambling' (9.3%), 'gardening' (5%), 'engaging in physical fitness' (4%), 'practising sports' (3%) and 'diving' (1%).

Another popular leisure activity of the Maltese is to go out either with their 'family' (12.0%) or their 'partner' (2.7%) or with a 'group' (6%). A relatively high 11.7% mentioned 'going abroad' as a leisure activity. Other activities include 'coffee mornings' (3.7%) or 'disco/bar/club' (3%) or going out in a 'boat' (3%). Interestingly, though a substantial number of these activities are group activities, pointing to the Maltese propensity to secondary socialisation despite their closely-knit family ties.

Even so, the two most common leisure activities enjoyed by the Maltese are 'watching TV' (37.3%) and 'reading books' (19.3%). Outdoor activities follow in importance: 'swimming' (18.3%), 'going out with the family' (12%) and 'going abroad' (11.7%).

Interesting differences across age groups and socio-economic groups are clearly noticeable: in fact, as 'watching TV' is much more common among females (45.5%) than males (28.8%). It is also highest in the lowest socio-economic category (DE: 63.1%), among those who are the oldest respondents (65+: 43.5%) and among readers of KullHadd/It-Torca (58.8%).

'Reading books' is higher among females (25.3%) than males (13%). It is highest among AB (50%) members, among the oldest Maltese (65+: 28.3% vs. 16-25: 6.3%) and among readers of Il-Mument (30%). 'Swimming' is more popular among males (22.6%) than females (14.3%), among C2 members (24.4%), and among those aged between 36-50 (26.2%).

The gender bias is clear in a number of activities: primary female activities include: 'playing tombola', 'engaging in voluntary work', 'going to coffee mornings', 'professional dancing', 'going to the theatre', 'going to a concert', 'going to church', and 'engaging in model making'. Conversely leisure activities which tend to be dominated by males are: 'animal/bird tending', 'horse racing', 'doing crossword puzzles', 'camping', 'photography', 'going out in a boat', 'practising sports' and 'going to parties'.

When asked how much time they spend on leisure activity (i) every day and (ii) every week, 8.3% stated that they do not spend any time on their leisure activity regularly every day, 42% spend 'one hour', 35.3% spend two hours, while 8.7% said that they use three hours of their day on their leisure activity. Much smaller percentages were registered for respondents who said that they spend more than four hours.

Free time

It is obvious that leisure activity depends on one's free time and for this reason, older persons have more time to dedicate to their leisure activities. In fact, the incidence of those who said that they spend 'one hour' a day on leisure activity is highest in the second youngest age group (26-35: 49%) and lowest for the oldest respondents (34.8%); as regards 'two hours' spent on leisure activity, the incidence is highest among the second oldest (51-65: 38%).

From 'three hours' onwards, the incidence is always highest among those who are in the 65+ age group. However, the number of hours which females declare to spend on their leisure activity is less than that of males. Perhaps paradoxically to some because the female activity rate in Malta is lower than that for males, more females declared spending 'no time' on their leisure activity than males (5.5% vs. females: 11%).

Asked how many hours, on average, they spend on their leisure activities every week, 4.7% declared that they do not spend any. 'Up to five hours' was most common among persons aged 26-35 (19.6%) and lowest among persons aged 65+ (2.2%). Persons aged 26-35 registered the highest percentage for 'six-ten hours' of leisure activity a week (29.4%), while '11-15' was found to be most common among those aged 51-65 (40.8%).

Spending

The Maltese were also asked how much money they spend on their leisure activity every week (i) for themselves and (ii) for their family. This study reveals that 43% spend between Lm1-Lm5 for themselves, 27.3% between Lm6-10, 15% between Lm11-15, 7.7% spend between Lm16-20, 4.3% spend between Lm21-25, 1.7% spend between Lm25-30 while 0.7% said that they spend more than Lm30 for themselves. Only 0.3% said that they do not spend any money on their leisure activity for themselves.

Interestingly, the few who said that they spend more than Lm30 are all females (1.3%). As a matter of fact, females in general tend to spend more on their leisure activity than males. Ten per cent of the Maltese did not provide information on how much money they spend on leisure activities for the family. But 4.3% said that they spend up to Lm5, 17.3% said they spend between Lm6-10, 25.3% spend between Lm11-15, 21% said that they spend between Lm16-Lm20 while 15% said that they spend between Lm21-25. Another 5% claimed that they spend between Lm25-30. Only 2% said that they spend more than Lm30 a week.

Socialisation

As already indicated, extended socialisation is an integral aspect of leisure time for many Maltese. In fact only 14% (17.1% males, 11% females) said they like to spend their free time 'alone'. The majority like to spend it 'with the family' (46%), 'with friends from work or study' (18%), 'with other friends' (15.3%), or 'with a partner' (6%). The incidence of those who said that they prefer to share their leisure time with their 'friends from work or study' (18%) is highest among the youngest (16-25: 33.3%) and among those in the DE (24.6%) socio-economic group. On the other hand, more females (16.2%) than males (14.4%) said they prefer spending their leisure time with 'other friends'. It is highest among the 51-65 age group (18.3%) and among the AB (23.1%) members.

This study reveals that the majority (55.3%) do not think that there are enough opportunities in Malta for one to enjoy one's leisure time, while 44.7% think otherwise.

The last two questions sought to elicit a set of categories in which the different leisure activities the Maltese engage in during the week and at the weekend respectively. The leisure activity that obtained the highest mention for the weekdays is 'watching TV' (44.7%) distantly followed by 'home-based hobby' (27%), 'reading' (18.3%), 'active going out, e.g. exercise' (15%), 'passive going out, e.g. eating out' (6%) and 'going to a club' (5%).

In contrast, much less TV is watched during the weekend (10.3%) and again a lower percentage is registered for 'home-based hobby' during the weekend, when compared to the percentage registered during the week (27% vs. 15%). On the other hand, during the weekend 'passive going out, e.g. eating out' (48%) is the most popular leisure activity, followed by 'active going out, e.g. exercise' (25.3%).

Twelve per cent enjoy 'going to a club' during the weekend (week: 5%). Reading - the third most cited activity the Maltese enjoy during the week (18.3%) - trails in final position during the weekend (4.7%).

Socio-economic groups

AB - professional, managerial, administrative;

C1 - higher clerical, clerical, supervisor, skilled craftsmen and technicians, owner/manager of small business;

C2 - skilled manual workers and foremen;

DE - semi-skilled, unskilled, labourers, casual workers and persons whose income is provided by the State.

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