Household responsibilities and family obligations may prevent some women from being more active and involved. Apart from the difficulties posed by resistant husbands and by lack of childcare, many women simply have too much to do in running their homes and taking care of their families. They are too busy. "I feel some women don't allow time for themselves- their families take up a lot of time." Women talked about having too much going on in the house to relax. Others spoke of their inflexible schedules - cooking and housework need to be done at certain times of the day and can't be put off till later.

Women gave lots of other reasons why women might not get involved in programs. Some thought others might not want to help themselves. Some felt many women are not well informed. Simply not being interested in "programs" was one possibility - preferring to go to bingo or to have a beer at a pub.

Reflections -- Mid May 1992

We were all very pleased with our community visits today. The response was great. It's interesting to note that some areas of Rabbittown are more receptive than others. We don't know why this is. Of course today it might simply have been the beautiful weather.

Women talked today about wanting to interact with other women, about wanting to take control of their own lives. They spoke passionately about women being equal to men, and needing education and self-esteem. We all felt very positive today.

When we asked, "Do you think women become interested in the same types of programs as men?" we got quite a range of responses! Most women seemed to think men have different interests than women, being more interested in sports, for example. Men were thought to have very different ideas about women's lives and to be uninterested in what women need and want for themselves.

Some women argued that women feel more comfortable in a women's group, that it affords them a feeling of equality. One woman had a good idea for programs at the Centre. She suggested a weight loss program at minimal cost and women teaching each other different kinds of crafts. On the other hand, many women felt strongly that women want the same things as men, have the same interests as men, and are certainly just as good as men. "Women are interested in the same types of programs as men. Why do you think we burned our bras? Women are interested in everything that men do."

Finally, some of the women we talked with said that husbands and wives like to do things together. "When my husband was alive we did everything together." They would prefer programs that accommodate that desire.