Faculty Publications

A Case Study Exploring Gender and Leisure at a Community Men’s Shed in the U.S

Document Type

Article

Keywords

gender, leisure, Men’s sheds, Social Role Theory, support

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Leisure Studies

Abstract

The Men’s Sheds Movement began in Australia, bringing men together who were socially isolated. At sheds, men converse with each other, make new friends, and engage in activities together. Further iterations of sheds around the world have been created, including Community Sheds and Women’s Sheds. In the U.S. the Men’s Sheds Movement began in 2016. However, sheds have not been studied as extensively in the U.S. and this paper adds to the literature by further investigating gender, expectations, age, motivation, and participation in a Community Shed located in the Southern part of the U.S. Results revealed both men and women participated in the shed but gravitated towards different roles. Men were more likely to participate regularly for the camaraderie and social benefits, while women attended if they had a specific project to work on. Women were also more likely to discuss the importance of having a form of leisure to engage in outside of the home and having a separate activity away from their partners. Women commented on needing an outlet away from childcare and household tasks. Further research is needed exploring other Community Sheds in the U.S. as well as how they compare to Community Sheds in other countries.

Department

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Department

Department of Family, Aging and Counseling

Original Publication Date

8-5-2025

DOI of published version

10.1080/02614367.2025.2542749

Link to Full Text

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