Sociology of leisure

Thorstein Veblen was one of the first sociologists to study leisure

Sociology of leisure is a fairly recent subfield of sociology, compared to more traditional subfields such as sociology of work, sociology of the family, and sociology of education: it saw most of its development in the second half of the 20th century.^[a][1][2][3] Until then, leisure had often been seen as a relatively unimportant, minor feature of society.[1] Leisure is now recognized as a major social institution, deserving of serious sociological inquiry, particularly in Western societies.[4]

As John Wilson and others have noted, it is difficult to define leisure.[2][5] Its definitions are numerous and often mutually contradictory, for example as a discrete portion of one's time or as a quality of experience irrespective of time.[5] Joffre Dumazedier distinguished four distinct definitions of leisure, which begin broadly and gradually narrow in scope.[1] The first and broadest defines leisure as a style of behavior that may occur even at work, the second defines it as any non-work activity; the third further excludes family and household obligations; and, finally, the narrowest defines leisure as activities dedicated to self-fulfillment. Dumazedier's four definitions are not exhaustive.[1] Incompatible definitions and measures are seen as a major factor accounting for occasionally contradictory research findings.[5]

There are some unresolved questions concerning the definition of work: in particular, whether unpaid endeavors, such as volunteering or studying, are work.[2] Non-work time should not be equated with free time, as it comprises not only free time, dedicated to leisure, but also time dedicated to certain obligatory activities, such as housework.[5] Dividing activities into free and dedicated time is not easy. For example, brushing one's teeth is neither work nor leisure; scholars differ in their classifications of activities such as eating a meal, shopping, repairing a car, attending a religious ceremony, or showering (various individuals may or may not classify such activities as leisure).[5] The relation between work and leisure can also be unclear: research indicates that some individuals find skills that they have acquired at work useful to their hobbies (and vice versa), and some individuals have used leisure activities to advance their work careers.[5] Sociologists also disagree as to whether political or spiritual activities should be included in studies of leisure.[6] Further, among some occupational communities, such as police officers or miners, it is common for colleagues to be off-time friends and to share similar, work-based leisure activities.[5]

Apart from a definition of leisure, there are other questions of theoretical concern to the sociologist of leisure. For example, quantifying the results is difficult, as time-budget studies have noted that a given amount of time (for example, an hour) may have different values, depending on when it occurs—within a day, a week, or a year.[5] Finally, as with many other fields of inquiry in the social sciences, the study of the sociology of leisure is hampered by the lack of reliable data for comparative longitudinal studies, as there was little to no standardized data-gathering on leisure throughout most of human history.[1] The lack of longitudinal studies has been remedied in the last few decades by recurring national surveys such as the General Household Survey in the United Kingdom (ongoing since 1971).[2] In addition to surveys, an increasing number of studies have been focusing on qualitative methods of research (interviews).[2]

Marx theory of leisure was discussed through a 'realm of freedom'. Karl Marx's criticisms of capitalism, saw the structures of capital as in conflict with people truly reaching leisure.[7] The basis of leisure is rooted in economics and politics, as those are intertwined also. In contrast to a more socialist approach, many would see leisure time as an excuse for unproductivity and as something you don't deserve. Not that it shouldn't be attained but shouldn't get in the way of economics. Therein lies our current structures that Marx's theories have not only remained relevant, but his criticisms of his time can remain true to this day. Marx's criticism of capitalism was rooted in the exploitation of the worker. As a conflict against the worker, class warfare in affect. In the Marx and Engels Reader, an overview of the writings and theories of Marxism, the ‘realm of freedom’ and ‘realm of necessity’ were heavily elaborated on as it was a new concept at the time. The realm of freedom is a true definition of leisure as it embraces doing activities out of the want, pleasure to do so. Whereas living to survive and work, eat, sleep would be in the realm of necessity.[7]

An example of a lesure activity: American soldiers playing a card game.

Over time, emphasis in studies of leisure has shifted from the work-leisure relation, particularly in well-researched majorities, to study of minorities and the relation between leisure and culture.[2] Marshall Gordon noted that there are two approaches in the study of leisure: formal and historical-theoretical.[3] The formal approach focuses on empirical questions, such as the shifting of leisure patterns over an individual's life cycle, the relation between leisure and work, and specific forms of leisure (such as the sociology of sport).[3] The historical-theoretical approach studies the relation between leisure and social change, often from structural-functionalist and neo-Marxist perspectives.[3] Sheila Scraton provided a different analysis, comparing North American and British studies.[2] The British approaches focus on input from pluralism, critical Marxism, and feminism; the American approaches concentrate on the social-psychological tradition.[2] Rhona and Robert Rapoport studied the worklife balance and inequality in many countries, wrote many books in this area and help influence policy and legislation to change practices.[8]

^{Within the framework of the family, leisure time has been researched to measure the effect of families during weekend work, further written about in, Weekend Work and Leisure Time with Family and Friends: Who Misses Out? What was found was families in which a parent/s had to work on the weekend had a negative effect on the family, more particularly the children. It was written that many of the parents who had to work on the weekend were less educated and lower income. This could have implications for the family and society.}[9] ^{Children not being able to be with their parents, parents not making enough to take more time off, not being able to see their children has broad implications on one's health. Let alone the stress of being in a constant state of work.}  

^{There are different forms of leisure time and it could always be debated. However, for those who do see movies as a form of entertainment can reap some benefits. Going to the movies, alone or with friends can improve health and well-being}[10]^.

Many sociologists have assumed that a given type of leisure activity is most easily explained by socioeconomic variables such as income, occupation or education.[5] This has yielded fewer results than expected; income is associated with total money spent on such activities, but otherwise only determines what type of activities are affordable.[5] Occupation has a similar effect, because most occupations heavily influence a person's income (for example, membership in a prestigious occupation and "country-club" activities such as golf or sailing are significantly correlated—but so is membership in those occupations and high income, and those activities with high cost).[5] Education is correlated with having a wide range of leisure activities, and with higher dedication to them.[5] As Kelly noted, "Predicting a person's leisure behavior on the basis of his socioeconomic position is all but impossible."[11]

On the other hand, type of leisure activity is substantially influenced by the individual's immediate situation—whether he has a family, whether there are recreational facilities nearby, and age.[5] Early family influences, particularly involving the more social leisure activities, can be profound.[5] The type of leisure activity also depends on the individual's current place in the life cycle.[5]

Specific findings in sociological studies of leisure are illustrated by John Robinson's late-1970s study of American leisure. Robinson found that Americans, on average, have four hours of leisure time each weekday, and more on weekends—six hours on Saturdays, almost eight on Sundays.[12] Amount of leisure time diminishes with age, work, marriage, and children.[5] However, the amount of free time does not significantly depend on an individual's wealth.[5] People desire less free time if they are uncertain of their economic future, or if their job is their central interest.[5] During the second half of the twentieth century, watching television became a major leisure activity, causing a substantial decrease in the time dedicated to other activities; in the early 1970s the average American had 4 hours of leisure per day, and spent 1.5 of them watching television.[13] Shared leisure activities increase marital satisfaction.[5]

In an increased digital age and growing technologies, our forms of entertainment have changed. Perhaps so will working. Automation has been of rising concern and perhaps the Marxist view of technology as a tool to allow more leisure time will win. Then again workers have had a long fight of gaining power than losing it. As is with most structures the amount or even any leisure time you have can be determined by race. As evolved as society has appeared, the structures that have kept a stratified system hasn't changed much. If leisure is to be allocated equally than the systems in place that have been in place since the beginning may need to be looked into.

• Sociological investigations of leisure on the Internet
• Rhona Rapoport
• Ikigai

a ^{^} There were few sociological studies of leisure before the second half of the 20th century. One of the earliest and most celebrated was Thorstein Veblen's The Theory of the Leisure Class (1899).[2]

• Bennet M. Bergero, "The Sociology of Leisure: Some Suggestions," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, vol. 1, issue 2, May 2008, pp. 31–45.
• Tony Blackshaw, Leisure Life: Myth, Masculinity and Modernity, Routledge, 2003, ISBN 0-415-27072-3.
• József Böröcz, "Leisure Migration. A Sociological Study on Tourism." Elsevier Science, 1996. 0-080-42560-7
• Neil H. Cheek, Jr., "Toward a Sociology of Not-Work," The Pacific Sociological Review, vol. 14, no. 3, July 1971, pp. 245–258. JSTOR
• C. Critcher, Peter Bramham, Alan Tomlinson, Sociology of Leisure: A Reader, Taylor & Francis, 1995, ISBN 0-419-19420-7.
• Joffre Dumazedier, Sociology of Leisure, Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, 1974, ISBN 0-444-41226-3.
• Joffre Dumazedier, Towards a Sociology of Leisure, Macmillan, 1967.
• John R. Kelly, "Counterpoints in the Sociology of Leisure," Leisure Sciences, vol. 14, issue 3, 1992, pp. 247–53.
• John Robert Kelly, Geoffrey Godbey, The Sociology of Leisure, Venture Pub., 1992, ISBN 0-910251-56-8.
  • Review of the above book: Margaret Carlisle Duncan, "The Sociology of Leisure," Journal of Leisure Research, vol. 25, no. 4, Fall 1993. Online
• Stanley R. Parker, Leisure and Work, Allen & Unwin, 1985.
• Orlov Alexandr S. The Sociology of Recreation, Nauka, Moscow, 1995, ISBN 5-02-013607-7.
• Gilles Pronovost, The Sociology of Leisure. Trend Report, Sage Publications, 1998.
• Rhona Rapoport and Robert N. Rapoport, "Four Themes in the Sociology of Leisure," The British Journal of Sociology, vol. 25, no. 2, June 1974, pp. 215–29. JSTOR
• Kenneth Roberts, Leisure in Contemporary Society, CABI, 2006, ISBN 1-84593-069-X.
• Chris Rojek, "Leisure and Tourism," in Craig J. Calhoun, Chris Rojek, Bryan S. Turner, eds., The Sage Handbook of Sociology, SAGE, 2005, ISBN 0-7619-6821-0.
• Chris Rojek, Decentring Leisure: Rethinking Leisure Theory, SAGE, 1995, ISBN 0-8039-8813-3.
• Snape, R. and Pussard, H. 'Theorisations of Leisure in Interwar Britain' Leisure Studies, 2013, 32 (1) pp. 1–18.
• Stebbins, Robert A. "Serious Leisure: A Perspective for Our Time." New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction, 2007 (paperback edition with new Preface, 2015).
• Stebbins, Robert A. "The Idea of Leisure: First Principles." New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction, 2012.
• The Marx-Engels Reader. New York : Norton, 1978. Print.
• Craig, L., & Brown, J. E. (2014). Weekend work and leisure time with family and friends: Who misses out? Journal of Marriage and Family, 76(4), 710–727. doi:Weekend Work and Leisure Time With Family and Friends: Who Misses Out?
• Corbalán, J, et al. “Health and Cinema. Healthy Leisure Profile.” Personality and Individual Differences, vol. 60, 2014, p. S58.

• ISA: Research Committee on Sociology of Leisure
• BSA: Leisure & Recreation Study Group
• Peer-Reviewed Journals in Recreation & Leisure Studies
• Journal of Leisure Research
• Leisure Studies