Recreational Activities and Work Values of Coastal Women for Development of Economic Enhancement Program

Introduction

Lingayen is one of the coastal towns in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 103, 278 people. Agriculture, livestock, and fishing are the major industries in the town. Other major industries include making world-class bagoong and bocayo, vinegar, furniture, crafts made of bamboo and shingles made of nipa.(http://en.m.wikipedia.org)

The economic condition of the town has improved because people in this town are generally hardworking and industrious. However, poverty still exists in the coastal barangays. Men are trying hard to improve their economic condition; however, some of the coastal women are not supportive of them. A number of these coastal women spend their leisure hours by playing cards and bingo. Former provincial board member, Von Mark Mendoza concluded that a good recreational program is necessary to teach the women how to engage in meaningful recreational activities after doing their household chores.

Eldo Cruz, a barangay captain of one of the coastal barangays noticed that a number of women spend their extra hours by exchanging pleasantries with other women in their neighbourhood. Lingayen Mayor Josefina Castaneda said that these women can be of great help to their husbands by engaging in hog and poultry raising, vegetable gardening and helping them in the preparation of fishing apparatus like mending the fishing nets. She said that at present, the recreational activities for women are not yet well-organized and properly chosen. She believes that meaningful recreational activities of women may increase their work values.

Undoubtedly, recreation is one of the various family functions. According to Seroy(2013), if this function is properly observed, it can instil in the minds of the women the values of sportsmanship, physical fitness and kind understanding. A physical-able person possesses a healthy mind which is an essential prerequisite for achieving fame and greatness in any kind of endeavour that women would like to pursue. In additional, the recreational activities of parents are bound to be carefully watched by children. The worker image of a mother is easily absorbed if the children see their working mothers doing play or leisure time activities meaningfully, they tend to follow the latter’s recreational interests.

Aware of the important role of women in economic development, the government thru Republic Act 1161 known as Social Security Law, has provided maternity leave benefits of 60 days but later revised by the senate thru Senate Bill 1305 extending it to 78-day maternity leave for women workers (sunstar.com.ph).

Recreation is interpreted in many different ways depending upon the experience and interests of the individual. Women’s recreational activities are family centered. Some of them prefer to spend their extra hours by crocheting, embroidery, engaging in vegetables gardening or hog raising instead of going to picnic or seeing movies. Hurlock(1975), noticed these recreational interests of women as reflected in the following statement:

Women’s recreational interests are generally home-oriented. Their leisure time activities are affected by their roles as wives and mothers. Hurlock’s statement is a clear indication that recreational is not only confined to amusements.

Butler, as cited by Paraiso(2014), averred that the arts and crafts works are also considered recreational activities because they have always been important sources of satisfaction to the individual. Arts and crafts, like creative works, have other values derived from an individual aside from the process of just making things. These values have to do with the developing appreciation and recognition for beauty in well-designed objects. This knowledge and feeling toward good design and workmanship can help enrich personal lives, home settings and the community as a whole.

It is important that a woman knows how to spend her extra hours in gainful activities. Through meaningful recreational activities, the women, too, may gain knowledge on how to work effectively and become an active member of the family.

The recreational activities of the women in the coastal barangays do not necessarily supplant their work responsibilities at home, but rather enhance and supplement them in that they can become sources of additional income. It is hoped that their engaging in these worth-while activities will pave the way to the economic uplift for the people of Lingayen, Pangasinan, Philippines.

The extent of involvement of women in the coastal barangays of Lingayen, Pangasinan, Philippines in recreational activities and the factors to which said involvement is significantly related will constitute the basic information in the creation of a viable recreational program that will enhance the women’s work values; thus, this study.

Materials and Methods

This study was a descriptive survey aimed at describing the recreational activities and determining the work values of the women in the coastal barangays of Lingayen, Pangasinan, Philippines.

Data were gathered using the questionnaire which was in two parts. Part I elicited data on the information about the women’s recreational activities in five dimensions namely: social, religious, arts and crafts, creative and other-related activities. Part II dealt with the respondents’ level of work values, economic, relations with the family and means of coping with problems and needs.

Respondents were the 378 coastal women in the 19 barangays of Lingayen, Pangasinan, Philippines aged 20 years and above and were chosen at random.

Simple frequency counts were converted into weighted points for all items under part I and II of the questionnaires. The chi-square test was employed and the .05 level of significance was used as criterion for the interpretation of findings.

Results and Discussion

Women in Coastal Areas’ Recreational Activities in General

Statistical data gathered from the women in coastal barangays, which are summarized in Table 1, indicated that they seldom engage in recreational activities as shown in their average weighted mean of .80.

Table 1. Extent of the Women’s Involvement in Recreational Activities

N = 378

Legend:

0 - .49 Never (N)

.50 - 1.49 Seldom (S)

1.50 – 2.49 Occasionally (Oc)

2.50 – 3.49 Often (O)

3.50 – 4.49 Always (A)

It can be noted from Table 1 that the respondents seldom engage in social, religious, creative and other related activities, their weighted means being .78; .71; 1.12 and 1.09, respectively. They claimed that they never engage in arts and crafts activities after doing their household chores as pointed out by their weighted mean of .32.

The seldom response of the coastal women meant that generally, they only engage in recreational activities at least once a month. This is a clear indication that the women in coastal areas are not active in recreational activities, perhaps, because of the absence of a well-designed barangay recreational program which may enable them to engage in activities that will ease their tension and feeling of boredom and loneliness after doing their prime duties at home.

Women in Coastal Barangays’ Recreational Activities in Five Areas

Social Activities of the Women

Table 2 shows that the respondents seldom engage in their social activities as pointed out by their overall weighted point of .78. It could be gleaned that the subject-cases occasionally engage in item 3 (viewing television program), their mean being 1.84; item 4 (listening to radio drama) with mean of 1.54; and item 5 (listening to music) with mean of 1.95.

Table 2. Extent of Women's Involvement in Social Activities

N = 378

Legend:

0 - .49 Never (N)

.50 - 1.49 Seldom (S)

1.50 – 2.49 Occasionally (Oc)

2.50 – 3.49 Often (O)

3.50 – 4.49 Always (A)

The women seldom read comics and magazines (item 2); gossiped with their neighbours (item 6) and attended parties (item 15), their weighted means being within the range of .50 and 1.49. The seldom responses of the women did not necessarily mean that they were not active in the aforementioned activities. Findings further revealed that the subject-cases never engage in item 7 (playing bingo), item 8 (playing “sungka”), item 9 (playing cards), item 10 (Attending dance sessions), item 11 (joining singing practice), item 13 (going to cockpit) and item 14 (Engaging in sports), their weighted means being within the range of 0-.49.

Religious Activities of Women

In Table 3, it is apparent that the women in coastal areas seldom engage in religious activities with the overall mean of .71.

Table 3. Extent of Women's Involvement in Religious Activities

Legend:

0 - .49 Never (N)

.50 - 1.49 Seldom (S)

1.50 – 2.49 Occasionally (Oc)

2.50 – 3.49 Often (O)

3.50 – 4.49 Always (A)

The subject-cases seldom engage in 11 of the 17 items under the religious activities as pointed out by their means which were within the range of .50 and 1.49. These are: item 1 (Pray with neighbours); item 2 (Preach the “Good News”; item 3 ( Clean and adorn the chapel); item 4 (Help the religious leaders in the distribution of goods for the indigents); item 5 (Join the religious leaders in visiting and taking care of the sick); item 6 (Give advice to the people who have problems); item 7 (Help in the progress of the church in the barangay); item 9 (Help religious leaders attend to the need of the needy); item 10(Visit the aged in the community); item 14(Attend birthdays and other religious occasions); and item 15(Encourage others to attend mass, religious gatherings or bible services)

Arts and Crafts Activities of the Women

Table 4 shows the arts and crafts activities of women in coastal barangays. The subject-cases never engage in arts and crafts activities with an overall weighted mean of .32.

Table 4. Extent of Women's Involvement in Arts and Crafts Activities

Legend:

0 - .49 Never (N)

.50 - 1.49 Seldom (S)

1.50 – 2.49 Occasionally (Oc)

2.50 – 3.49 Often (O)

3.50 – 4.49 Always (A)

Of the 18 activities under the arts and crafts dimension, the women claimed that they seldom engage in item12 (Sewing baby dresses); item 13(Toy making); and item 15(Nipa shingle making) as shown by their means of 1.25, .58 and .72, respectively. They claimed that they were never engage in the rest of the arts and crafts activities.

Creative Activities of the Women

It can be noted from Table 5 that the respondents seldom engage in creative activities as shown by their mean of 1.12.

Table 5. Extent of Women's Involvement in Creative Activities

Legend:

0 - .49 Never (N)

.50 - 1.49 Seldom (S)

1.50 – 2.49 Occasionally (Oc)

2.50 – 3.49 Often (O)

3.50 – 4.49 Always (A)

It is noteworthy that women occasionally engage in item 5(House decorating); item 6(Repairing house damages); and item 8(Sewing torn clothes) their weighted means being 1.59, 2.00 1nd 1.98 respectively.

The respondents seldom engage in item 2(Hair styling) with mean of .55; item 3(Crocheting) with mean of .64; item 4(Embroidery) with mean of .68; item 7(Dress designing) with mean of . 89 and lastly, item 9 (Recycling old and worn-out materials) with mean of 1.36.

Other Related Activities of the Coastal Women

Respondents seldom engaged in other-related activities with an average weighted mean of 1.09 as presented in Table 6.

Table 6. Extent of Women's Involvement in Other-Related Activities

Legend:

0 - .49 Never (N)

.50 - 1.49 Seldom (S)

1.50 – 2.49 Occasionally (Oc)

2.50 – 3.49 Often (O)

3.50 – 4.49 Always (A)

It can be observed from the Table that the respondents occasionally engage in item1 (Taking care of plants); and item 3(Engaging in poultry or duck raising) as shown by their weighted mean of 1.98 and 1.59, respectively. They were however, found to be seldom engage in item 2(Engaging in piggery); item 4(Hook and line fishing); item 5 (Fish and vegetable vending); item 6(Fish preservation; and item 8(Running a store), their means being within the range of .50 and 1.49. They never engage in money lending.

Level of Women’s Work Values in the Four Dimensions

The data in Table 7 show that in general, the respondents were on a high level on matters pertaining to their relations with the family as pointed out by their weighted mean of 2.83 and agree response.

Table 7. Level of Coastal Women's Work Value

Legend:

0 - .49 Never (N)

.50 - 1.49 Seldom (S)

1.50 – 2.49 Occasionally (Oc)

2.50 – 3.49 Often (O)

3.50 – 4.49 Always (A)

A glance at the table would show that the respondents expressed their agreement to all items as shown by their weighted means which were within the range of 2.50 and 3.49. These were equivalent to high in the scale.

Level of Women’s Social Values

Generally, the women had sound values with a weighted mean of 2.70.

Table 8. Level of Women's Social Values

Legend:

0 - .49 Never (N)

.50 - 1.49 Seldom (S)

1.50 – 2.49 Occasionally (Oc)

2.50 – 3.49 Often (O)

3.50 – 4.49 Always (A)

It can be gleaned in Table 8 that the women expressed their agreement to item 1 (Helps voluntarily for the progress of the community); item 2 (Teaches others how to work effectively; item 5 (Attends seminars that can improve knowledge and skills toward work); item 6 (Reads magazines that can teach how to work effectively); item 7(Obeys the teachings or the older folks regarding work; item 8 (Cooperates for others for the good of the majority); item 9 (Works happily with neighbours); item 11(Learns how to work effectively with others); item 12 (Works even without monetary renumeration if it o=is for the needy); item 13 (Can work well even with those of different religious beliefs); item 14( Interested to work and gain more friends); item 15 (Can work well with those with “pakikisama”); and item 16 (Works well even without supervision if it is for the good of the society), their weighted means being within the range of 2.50 and 3.49.

Level of Women’s Economic Values

The women had a high level of economic values as shown by their agree responses with an over-all weighted mean of 2.90 as reflected in Table 9.

Table 9. Level of Women's Economic Values

Legend:

0 - .49 Never (N)

.50 - 1.49 Seldom (S)

1.50 – 2.49 Occasionally (Oc)

2.50 – 3.49 Often (O)

3.50 – 4.49 Always (A)

The respondents were on a high level in item 1 (Women have the responsibility to work like men); item 2 (One must not wait for tomorrow to do what can be done today); item 4 (Children should be taught now to work hard to attain progress); item 5 (Be patient in planting fruit trees to add to family income); item 6 (It is good to unite and cooperate to finish a certain work faster); item 7 ( If At first, one’s work was not successful, he has to repeat until it is done perfectly); item 8(There must be a careful planning before starting a certain task); item 9 (One must have the interest in doing a certain task); item 10 (Working tools should be used properly) item 11 (One must not be wasteful in the use of materials).

Level of Women’s Work Values on Matters Pertaining to Their Relations with the Family

Table 10. Level of Women's Work Values on Relations with the Family

Legend:

0 - .49 Never (N)

.50 - 1.49 Seldom (S)

1.50 – 2.49 Occasionally (Oc)

2.50 – 3.49 Often (O)

3.50 – 4.49 Always (A)

Table 10 shows that the respondents were on a high level on matters pertaining to their relations with the family as pointed out by their weighted mean of 2.83 and agree response. The Table also shows that the respondents expressed their agreement to all items as shown by their weighted means which were within the range of 2.5 and 3.49. These were equivalent to high in the scale.

Level of Women’s Work Values on Means to Cope with Their Problems and Needs

In Table 11, the women were found to be on moderate level only as shown by their slightly agree response and weighted point of 2.40.

Table 11. Level of Women's Work Values on Means of Coping with their Problems and Needs

Legend:

0 - .49 Never (N)

.50 - 1.49 Seldom (S)

1.50 – 2.49 Occasionally (Oc)

2.50 – 3.49 Often (O)

3.50 – 4.49 Always (A)

When asked if working harder was one way of forgetting problems and sad experiences, the women expressed their slight agreement. They likewise, slightly agreed to items “Works well if not dictated by others,” “Works in place where there is a challenge to learn and advance ideas regarding work,” and “Works well with happy and optimistic people”.

Relationship Between the Coastal Women’s Recreational Activities and Work Values

Relationship of Women’s Social Activities to Work Values

Table 12. Relationship of Coastal Women's Activities and Work Values

Legend:

0 - .49 Never (N)

.50 - 1.49 Seldom (S)

1.50 – 2.49 Occasionally (Oc)

2.50 – 3.49 Often (O)

3.50 – 4.49 Always (A)

It can be noted from Table 12, that social values, economic, relations with their families and their work values specifically on matters pertaining to their means of coping with problems and needs were significantly related to the Women’s social activities. These were shown by the computed chi-square values of 2.427, 26.671, 17, 945 and 18.047, respectively. Such values are greater than the table values of 15.51 at df 8 at the .05 level of significance.

Relationship of Women’s Religious Activities to Work Values

Social values, economic values and relations with the family on the one hand and the women’s religious activities on the other hand had marked relationships, the chi-square values at df 8, being 20.701, 20.682 and 31.410, respectively. Such values are greater than the table values of 15.51 at df 8 at the .05 level of significance.

Relationship of Women’s Arts and Crafts Activities to Work Values

From Table 12, it is apparent that social values, economic values, relations with the family, and women’s means of coping with problems and needs showed marked relationship to their arts and crafts activities, the chi-square values being 19.536, 24.181, 26.933 and 17.525, respectively. Such values are greater than the table values of 15.51 at df 8 at the .05 level of significance.

Relationship of Women’s Creative Activities to Work Values

Table 12 shows that significant relationship existed between the social values, economic values, relations with the family, and women’s means of coping with problems and needs and their arts and crafts activities, the chi-square values being 28.462, 15.597, and 21.096, respectively. Such values are greater than the table values of 15.51 at df 8 at the .05 level of significance.

Relationship of Women’s Other-Related Activities to Work Values

The data on Table 12 revealed that social and economic values did not relate significantly to the respondents’ other-related activities, their chi-square values being 2.911 and 3.381, respectively. These were less than the tabled value at df 8, at .05 level of significance.

Significant relationship however, existed between the women’s relations with the family and means of coping with problems and needs on the one hand and work values on the other hand. This was shown by the chi-square values of 15.51 at df 8, at .05.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the women in coastal barangays of Lingayen, Pangasinan, Philippines generally have little involvement in meaningful recreational activities, however, they engaged in various recreational activities of coastal women vary. Further, women in coastal barangays possess a high sense of responsibility toward work. It can be concluded further that work values of coastal women are dependent on their recreational activities.

References