The Use of Greek Working Women’s Leisure Time in Educational Activities

During the last three decades, there have been significant changes in the lives of women in Greece. Women’s role and status have been upgraded; their way of life has undergone a complete transformation by work changing the management of domestic, professional and personal time.Within these different temporalities of their everyday lives; a contradictory social time named leisure is raised; and it is in this way that a struggle for personal advancement; and self expression arises and is accomplished by constructively and creatively making the most of this leisure time. The purpose of this study is to explore the practices and the meanings of education during women’s leisure time; as well as the motives and the intentions that urge them to take part in the corresponding educative activities. The method of the study was qualitative, through an individual interview of women who already made the most of their leisure time educational. The main findings of this study show that women with a basic education consider learning during their free time necessary for their personal development; as well as the creative development of their skills; while seeking social support and educational programs that are equivalent to their real personal and professional needs.