First-time parents are increasing in age, and most are more used to the habit of a leisure life by the time they have a family.

What impact are longer working hours having on the leisure market?

Parents will be looking to adapt their leisure needs to a new formula and modes of stimulation/entertainment.

For those with families, the pace of leisure can often become increasingly frenetic as it is squeezed between the existing commitments of work and childcare. New technology and prosperity are reshaping the way people live their lives, whilst rising levels of working hours play significant consequence on time available for relaxation and leisure. Perceived as likely to have a lower level of leisure participation than those in other lifestage groups, those in the family lifestage often need to accommodate the demands of children with busy lifestyles of their own. Patterns of participation are determined largely by necessity rather than choice among adults, with difficult choices having to be made between money, time, and the organisation of childcare. However, the trend towards having children later in life means that parents are often already established in a social leisure life by the time they start a family. Although there is certainly an enforced reappraisal of leisure activities, a continued leisure lifestyle is increasingly considered a vital part of a full and healthy family life. Parents are more likely to make considered choices about their lifestyles, and will need to adapt to new ways of sourcing and utilising their leisure hours. However, although, adults in the family lifestage are the most cautious spenders, expenditure on leisure goods and services is on the rise.

First-time parents are increasing in age, and most are more used to the habit of a leisure life by the time they have a family.

What impact are longer working hours having on the leisure market?

Parents will be looking to adapt their leisure needs to a new formula and modes of stimulation/entertainment.

For those with families, the pace of leisure can often become increasingly frenetic as it is squeezed between the existing commitments of work and childcare. New technology and prosperity are reshaping the way people live their lives, whilst rising levels of working hours play significant consequence on time available for relaxation and leisure. Perceived as likely to have a lower level of leisure participation than those in other lifestage groups, those in the family lifestage often need to accommodate the demands of children with busy lifestyles of their own. Patterns of participation are determined largely by necessity rather than choice among adults, with difficult choices having to be made between money, time, and the organisation of childcare. However, the trend towards having children later in life means that parents are often already established in a social leisure life by the time they start a family. Although there is certainly an enforced reappraisal of leisure activities, a continued leisure lifestyle is increasingly considered a vital part of a full and healthy family life. Parents are more likely to make considered choices about their lifestyles, and will need to adapt to new ways of sourcing and utilising their leisure hours. However, although, adults in the family lifestage are the most cautious spenders, expenditure on leisure goods and services is on the rise.

The second report in a series of three, Family Leisure Trends determines the impact of family life on leisure time behaviour. Acknowledging the profound lifestyle changes that may occur when adults assume family responsibilities, this report attempts to quantify specific patterns of availability of leisure time behaviour among consumers in the family lifestage. In looking at family leisure habits, Family Leisure Trends establises trends in the patterns of leisure participation in specific pursuits, and examines these trends in terms of light and medium/heavy participation. Flexibility of a leisure format is obviously important to those in the family lifestage, and this report analyses trends in terms of both activity levels of men and women, while also considering the ease with which they can be accommodated either at home or in a timeframe.

Other Mintel reports of relevance include:

- Leisure - In- versus Out-of-town Leisure, Leisure Intelligence, March 2000

- Special Report, British Lifestyles, 2000

- Pre-family Leisure Trends, Leisure Intelligence, January 2000

- Special Report, Pre-family Lifestyles, 1999

- Special Report, Women 2000, 1999

- Special Report, Men 2000, 1999

- Eating Out Review, Leisure Intelligence, June 1999

- Domestic Help, Market Intelligence, May 1999

- Leisure Shopping Off the High Street, Leisure Intelligence, May 1999

- Gardening Review, Leisure Intelligence, April 1999

- The DIY Consumer, Leisure Intelligence, January 1999

- Special Report, Leisure Time, 1995

- Post-Family Leisure Trends, Leisure Intelligence, April 2000

- Leisure and the Internet, Leisure Intelligence, May 2000

- Multi-leisure Parks, Leisure Intelligence, June 2000

- Music Festivals and Concerts, Leisure Intelligence, June 2000

- CDs, Records and Tapes, Leisure Intelligence, July 2000.