A comparison of white and mexican heritage older adults’ leisure choices and constraints in two adjacent communities

This study compares the leisure patterns and constraints to leisure participation of two groups of older adults, one white (Non Hispanic) and one Hispanic (Mexican heritage) living in two adjacent communities. One community was developed specifically to attract retirees and is composed primarily of individuals who are white. The other community has until recent years, served as the home for individuals arriving from Mexico to work on neighboring farms. Nearly all of the older adults living in this second community are of Mexican heritage. The importance of leisure participation for older adults is well established. The results of this study demonstrate the disparity in participation in leisure pursuits of these two groups and the different levels of constraints faced by older adult whites and Hispanics living in these two adjacent communities.