All the Stereotypes Confirmed: Differences in How Australian Boys and Girls Use Their Time

Background: To influence adolescent health, a greater understanding of time use and covariates such as gender is required. 

Purpose: To explore gender-specific time use patterns in Australian adolescents using high-resolution time use data. 

Method: This study analyzed 24-hour recall time use data collected as part of the 2007 Australian National Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (n = 2,200). Univariate analyses to determine gender differences in time use were conducted. 

Results: Boys spent more (p <.0001) time participating in screen-based (17.7 % vs. 14.2% daily time) and physical activities (10.7% vs. 9.2%). Girls spent more (p <.0001) time being social (4.7% vs. 3.4% daily time), studying (2.0% vs. 1.7%), and doing household chores (4.7% vs. 3.4%). 

Conclusions: There are gender-specific differences in time use behavior among Australian adolescents. The results reinforce existing time use gender-based stereotypes. Implications. The gender-specific time use behaviors offer intervention design possibilities.