Organizational and Personal Barriers to Physical Activity An Intersectional Analysis of Divorced Single Mothers in China’s IT and Internet Industries

Zhou, Chunhong, Bairner, A. and Molnár, Győző ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1732-5672 (2025) Organizational and Personal Barriers to Physical Activity An Intersectional Analysis of Divorced Single Mothers in China’s IT and Internet Industries. Sport, Education and Society, 30 (9). pp. 1196-1209. ISSN Print: 1357-3322 Online: 1470-1243

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Abstract

Global gender disparities have been identified in physical activity (PA) with women, particularly single mothers, experiencing a higher physical inactivity rate than men, thus facing higher health risks. Recent research discovered that workplace culture produced barriers to women’s PA participation. The pervasive overtime culture, particularly in China’s IT/Internet industries, is reported as a main source of stress for professional women. Divorced single mothers (DSMs) in that sector may face unique barriers to PA participation arising from the intersection of overtime culture, gender, single motherhood, a male-dominated work environment, and financial difficulties, yet research has underexplored their experiences especially from intersectional perspectives. This paper draws on intersectionality and workplace masculinity culture to analyse interview-based data and investigate this issue. Organizational barriers include conflict between the male-oriented workplace PA schedule and parental responsibilities, conflict between high worktime demands and PA time, limited access to workplace PA facilities, and unequal, gendered workplace PA resource allocation. Personal barriers range from time limitations, low motivation and energy levels, financial constraints, and mental and physical health challenges. Our findings suggest that enhancing women’s PA participation requires both organizational and structural support and targeted incentives to remove constraints and promote women’s active engagement in China.

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