Economic Development & Leisure (SL IB Geography)

Historical Constraints

Traditionally, Saudi Arabia had strict societal and cultural norms that limited women's participation in public sports and recreational activities

Women faced legal and social restrictions. Their access to sports facilities and events was highly regulated

Recent reforms

Saudi Arabia has implemented a series of reforms aimed at increasing women's participation in sports and leisure

The government has introduced initiatives to encourage physical activity among women, recognizing the importance of sports for health and well-being

Sports education and facilities

Efforts have been made to enhance sports education for women in schools and universities

Sports facilities for women have been established, including dedicated gyms and sports clubs

International participation

Saudi Arabia has started sending female athletes to international competitions, such as the Olympic Games

Challenges and opportunities

Conservative attitudes and the need for continued cultural change remain

Opportunities for women to engage in sports and leisure are expected to expand further with ongoing initiatives and reforms

Leisure time increases

American adults have gained 4-9 extra hours per week of leisure time since the 1960s due to shorter working weeks

Impact on Low-Wage Earners

Low-wage earners have experienced a more significant increase in leisure time 

Single-Person Households

In 2022, about 30% of households in the U.S. were single people

High Wage vs. Low Wage Workers

High-wage workers may allocate a higher proportion of income to eating out, while the low-wage group is less likely to eat out

The average American household spends $3,008 per year on dining out

Income Inequality Growth

Income inequality has risen significantly, with the wealthiest 1% accounting for over 20% of wealth in 2010, compared to 1% in 1969

Black-White Income Gap

A median Black household income is 61% of median White household income in 2018

Ethnic Variation in Leisure Activities

Research has shown leisure activities show some ethnic variation, with differences likely tied to education and wealth

71% of whites, 60% of African Americans, and 56% of Hispanics reported playing video games

Shift to Individualized Leisure

Team sports participation has declined, while jogging and health club attendance have increased, reflecting a shift towards more individualized leisure

Student Leisure Habits

Students spend, on average, 15 hours per week watching television and about 5 hours per week participating in organized activities

Changes in Facility Size

Cinemas and theatres are being replaced by multiplexes. Home TVs have increased in size. Online TV streaming has increased; e.g., Netflix had over 77 million subscribers in 2022

Evolution of leisure

In the 19th century, leisure was often at home and the 20th century saw a shift to cinemas, theatres, restaurants, and sports matches

In the early 21st century, there is a trend towards more home-based leisure, such as online streaming services or hobbies

COVID-19 saw an increase in leisure options being promoted, such as streaming exercise programmes