''If I could just be selfish'': Caregivers' perceptions of their entitlement to leisure

Entitlement to leisure suggests that leisure is a right rather than. a privilege. Unfortunately, many feminist researchers agree that women in general do not feel entitled to leisure. This concept is of particular concern for the growing population of informal caregivers, or individuals who care for family members in their home without pay. Caregivers, typically women, often abandon social interaction, hobbies church, and fitness-related activities because of caregiving responsibilities. The purpose of this study was to examine the sense of entitlement to leisure of women who are informal caregivers of older adult family members. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 women who served as caregivers for older family members. Four typologies emerged from the data to represent how the women attempted to access their leisure: rationalizers, resenters, consolidators, and rechargers. In addition, results indicated that their ''ethic of care'' had an impact on their choices and perceptions of their right to leisure.