A Comparison between the Ways Different New Yorkers Practiced Recreation and Leisure during New York Pause

ABSTRACT

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, many New Yorkers quarantined in the state of "New York Pause." In this period, many had increased time for leisure. This study looked at New Yorkers from three neighboring counties and compared how people of different genders and ages (split into four groups) picked up new hobbies and furthered upon their old ones. The survey asked participants both if they picked up or expanded upon a prior hobby, and if so, to identify the hobby. Males and females showed no difference in how they picked up or continued hobbies during New York Pause, but younger participants both picked up and furthered hobbies more often than older participants. Along with that, the study categorized the hobbies picked up or furthered by type (Physical, Creative, Non-Physical Recreation, and Academic), and creative or creation-based hobbies saw the most participation, especially with people learning instruments, drawing, or cooking. All these results suggest that during their free time, most New Yorkers preferred to participate in hobbies under the creative or creation hobby umbrella.