Understanding Leisure

This book covers all the key aspects of leisure theory, policy and practice. Coverage includes leisure concepts and the dimensions of leisure, its activity forms, participants, provision, leisure and social theory and the future of leisure. Exercises and discussion topics are included at the end of each chapter to enable the reader to apply theory to examples. Excellent guides to further reading are also included.

First published in 1989. Understanding Leisure is a readable introductory analysis of the key elements in the study of leisure. This includes leisure concepts and dimensions of leisure, its activity forms, participants, provision, and leisure futures, leisure and social theory. A collaborative work of six authors, Understanding Leisure is a textbook which introduces the reader to the interrelated dimensions of leisure in contemporary society and aims to provide them with guidelines for further study. Exercises and discussion topics are included at the end of each chapter to enable the reader to apply general theory to particular examples. The text contains seven chapters covering all aspects of the study of leisure. Starting with a critical evaluation of different concepts of leisure it progresses through an analysis of the relationship between leisure both to play and work and the diverse forms of leisure such as recreation, hobbies, crafts and education. There then follows a perspective on leisure participation, an analysis of the spatial dimensions of leisure and how relative land values can affect access to leisure. The historical context of leisure provision and the changing relationship between public and private sector is then examined which provides insights into the future of leisure, based on forecasts and theories of social change. The book ends with a discussion of how contemporary social theory contributes to an understanding of leisure. Understanding Leisure will be valuable reading for undergraduate degree courses in Leisure Studies. It will also be useful background reading for post graduate study in Leisure and Recreational Management and Tourism as well as for leisure professionals in both the commercial and public sectors.

The sociology of leisure is an important part of most leisure and recreation management degree and leisure studies BTEC courses. This book is designed to provide essential material in an accessible form for students. It draws together 24 classic readings which provide comprehensive coverage of key conceptual debates in the sociology of leisure.

The "Serious Leisure Perspective" (SLP) is a theoretical framework that can help us understand the complexities of modern leisure as both an activity and an experience. Bringing together the study of serious leisure, casual leisure and project-based leisure, it is an essential component of the Leisure Studies curriculum and an invaluable tool for exploring the significance of leisure in contemporary society. This book is the first of offer a comprehensive introduction to the Serious Leisure Perspective, from fundamental principles and key concepts to in-depth and wide-ranging case studies of serious leisure pursuits. The book introduces the history of the SLP and its position alongside other social theories that attempt to explain the nature and function of leisure. It explores important themes such as consumption, gender relations, social capital and quality of life, and delves deeply into the leisure of amateurs, hobbyists, career volunteers and occupational devotees. Every chapter includes a range of useful pedagogical features, such as review questions and group exercises, to help the student to grasp the importance of understanding leisure as a way of understanding contemporary social life and society. Combining cutting-edge theory and method with an engaging and practical interface, this is an essential text for all Leisure Studies courses and illuminating reading for any student working in Tourism, Events, Sport, Recreation, Sociology or Cultural Studies.

Despite the fact that there are around 1.2 million powered two wheelers (PTWs) within the United Kingdom, riders are often misconceived as living at the edge of society; however, this is often far from the truth. Riding a PTW is a high-risk activity and those who ride are often perceived as being 'risk junkies', but through an in-depth exploration of this leisure activity, Motorcycling and Leisure explains that riders ride because they enjoy it and do not necessarily enjoy the risk involved. The book presents a range of contemporary research on riders and how they find enjoyment. The book further explores the rider goal of enjoyment and utilises Fuller's task homeostasis theory along with Csikszentmihalyi's theory of flow to develop an understanding of the interaction between risk and goals. In conclusion it develops principles of interventions with the aim of guiding intervention design and reducing the number of motorcycle crashes.

Good entry level text that new students will really appreciate. Clearly written in a style that aids understanding and will develop their knowledge and ability to apply research techniques. - Shane Thurlow, Bishop Burton College "Essential elements associated with research in the fields of leisure, sport and tourism are introduced and explained in a clear manner. This book is informative and easy to read... ideal for those who are not familiar with research in those field." - Miyoung Oh, Sheffield Hallam University "This book would be useful for any leisure, sport, or tourism student who has no previous knowledge of research methods. Its style and language make it particularly useful for first year students in degree or diploma programs." - Annals of Tourism Research "The style of writing is wonderfully clear and the author explains areas such as sampling and significance in a much better way than many very well known texts. It will be an incredibly useful book for students." - Malcolm Williams, University of Plymouth What are the essential research methods for students studying leisure, sport and tourism? What are the main benefits in competing research methods, and how can you avoid gremlins in the research process? This is a comprehensive and informative book written especially for new and inexperienced researchers in the fields of leisure, sport and tourism. Unlike generic research texts that do not ′speak′ to people in this field, this book uses subject-specific examples and explains the central methodological issues in straightforward terms. By showing students what they can do to assess, manage and reduce the time they spend on research Researching in Leisure, Sport and Tourism: The Essential Guide will help them achieve a better balance in their course work.