21st Century Leisure: Current Issues

by John R. Kelly

This is a new book, the first to identify current issues in the study of leisure that are raised by the profound changes and conflicts in American and world societies entering the 21st century. Each chapter includes two sides of at least one critical debate designed to engage students in analysis and discussion. The book focuses on personal and social questions and meanings rather than dry summaries. The underlying theme is that leisure is a realm of there is the complex composition of society with contested opportunities and interests related to gender, class, race, and ethnicity. There are political and economic issues of the allocation of resources, environmental conflict, new work roles, and differential power. There are personal leisure as challenge and consumption, development, and entertainment. There is the other side of leisure with everything for sale. There are the diverse symbolic meanings of leisure in a market culture. Major forms of leisure are explored including tourism, sport, mass media, the arts, and outdoor recreation. This book offers an exciting introduction to leisure in the new millennium. For anyone interested

298 pages, Paperback

First published October 7, 1999

Reviews

[Tonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that provides the reader with a strong introduction to the academic world of Leisure. As it was published in 2000, it was even more interesting reading it 11 years into the 21st century. Much of the research stills rings true and several ideas about advances and the technological influence have proven valid, although the forms of technology mentioned are slowly losing influence in society (ie. VHS, CD's, etc). Time for a revised addition perhaps?