Six studies explored how leisure activities, leisure attitude and leisure systems influenced on Korean and German people. Study 1 examined cultural differences of relationship between leisure life and quality of life. For this goal, 368 Korean college ...
Six studies explored how leisure activities, leisure attitude and leisure systems influenced on Korean and German people. Study 1 examined cultural differences of relationship between leisure life and quality of life. For this goal, 368 Korean college students and 348 German college students completed a questionnaire measuring relationship between leisure life(leisure activities, leisure motivation, leisure attitude and leisure satisfaction) and quality of life(life satisfaction and negative affectivity). Results indicated that: (a) there were cultural differences between leisure activity and leisure satisfaction and quality of life; (b) Korean students were to have a stronger 'psychological rest motivation' in leisure life than German students;(c) Korean students were more likely to consider leisure as a valuable activity than German students.
Study 2 attempts to compare family leisure as it compares the leisure orientation, and needs and performance of family leisure between German and Korean families. The sample consisted of 102 Korean two parent families and 147 German two parent families with teenagers. The results indicate that: (a) Korean families were significantly more oriented to work life than were German families; (b) German families were significantly more oriented to family leisure than were Korean families; (c) Family leisure effects did not differ significantly between Korean families and German families, but Korean families reported more about the negative effects, such as fatigue, conflicts between couples, money, and a sense of incongruity.
Study 3 investigated the German system of "mother-child-cure". According to the reports the condition of the mothers and children improves their health after the cure significantly. For example taking painkillers and sleeping pills were reduced considerably. The health condition of the children was rated by the physicians and therapists more than average . Especially the woman-specific integral support involving body, soul and environment proves to be a very effective family-medical measure. The German system of "mother-child-cure" will be a good example for the Korean mothers who are often burdened with the triple tasks, household, education and job and need a regular refreshing and rehabilitating. The mother-child-cure contributes not only to the recovery of the mothers, but also enhance the relationship in the whole family.
Study 4 revealed the results about "28.8 hour work week"introduced by Volkswagen, which had tried to overcome stagnation without dismissal. The study explains how the new working hour system influenced family life, leisure time and how it contributed to employees' daily life improvements.
In study 5, The change in social structure following industrialization has brought changes in people's value systems as well. People are now interested in how to improve their lives and the use of leisure time is viewed as a significant factor in making a difference in one's life. Germany has long ago realized the importance of untouched nature in developing the leisure industry. With the government actively involved in the process of satisfying both the needs of the environment and people, Germany has developed a well balanced ecological leisure industry. Germany has measured the impact of vacationing/traveling on environment according to five indexes: greenhouse effect, unhealthy biological community, waste problems, water pollution and noise pollution.
In study 6, in Germany a lot of chances to do the leisure activities are given to the pensioners. There are so many leisure programs like the sports, dance and travel programs and also various social systems and facilities. The self-governing bodies or the religious organizations supply them so that the senior citizen can enjoy their free times with doing the different kinds of the leisure activities.