Leisure

Leisure

Leisure has often been defined as a quality of experience or as free time. Free time is time spent away from business, work, job hunting, domestic chores, and education, as well as necessary activities such as eating and sleeping. Situationist International proposes that leisure does not evolve from free time, and free-time is an illusory concept that is rarely fully "free"; economic and social forces appropriate free time from the individual and sell it back to them as the commodity known as "leisure". Certainly most people's leisure activities are not a completely free choice and may be constrained by social pressures. For example, people may be feel the need to spend time gardening to keep up with their neighbor's gardens or go to a party because of social pressures. Leisure as experience usually emphasizes dimensions of perceived freedom and choice. It is done for "its own sake", for the quality of experience and involvement. Other classic definitions include Thorsten Veblen's (1899) of "nonproductive consumption of time." Different disciplines have definitions reflecting their common issues: for example, sociology on social forces and contexts and psychology as mental and emotional states and conditions. From a research perspective, these approaches have an advantage of being quantifiable and comparable over time and place.Leisure studies and sociology of leisure are the academic disciplines concerned with the study and analysis of leisure. Recreation differs from leisure in that it is a purposeful activity that includes the experience of leisure in activity contexts. Economists consider that leisure times are valuable to a person like wages that they could earn for the same time spend towards the activity. If it were not, people would have worked instead of taking leisure. However, the distinction between leisure and unavoidable activities is not a rigidly defined one, e.g. people sometimes do work-oriented tasks for pleasure as well as for long-term utility. A related concept is social leisure, which involves leisurely activities in social settings, such as extracurricular activities, e.g. sports, clubs. Another related concept is that of family leisure. Relationships with others is usually a major factor in both satisfaction and choice. The concept of leisure as a human right was realised in article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Latest Publications

Cover image for Frankfurt Museums Summer Program 2024: Fantasy Lends Wings

Frankfurt Museums Summer Program 2024: Fantasy Lends Wings

DFF – German Film Institute & Film Museum

The Frankfurt museums are offering a diverse summer program for children and teens aged 4-14, with a focus on creativity and exploration. Activities include painting, drawing, building with LEGOs, filmmaking, …

Cover image for Business Rates Relief Scheme for 2023/24 Implementation

Business Rates Relief Scheme for 2023/24 Implementation

Wakefield Council

This report seeks approval for implementing Business Rates Reliefs for 2023/24, as announced in the Autumn Statement 2022. The proposal includes increasing Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) rate relief to …

Cover image for Entre.Ruas: Vale de Milhaços Shopping and Leisure Guide (January 2023)

Entre.Ruas: Vale de Milhaços Shopping and Leisure Guide (January 2023)

Municipal Ecomuseum of Seixal

This is the 10th edition of the Entre.Ruas guide, focusing on promoting local commerce in Vale de Milhaços, Corroios (Seixal). Published in January 2023, it encourages residents to support local …

Cover image for Leisure Time and Its Relationship to Tourism

Leisure Time and Its Relationship to Tourism

BGSU: Bowling Green State University

This article, originally published in 1984, explores the relationship between leisure time and tourism. It discusses how tourism has social, economic, and cultural impacts, which are becoming increasingly important due …

Cover image for Culture, Leisure, and Sport Report - March 2023

Culture, Leisure, and Sport Report - March 2023

Wakefield Council

This report from Councillor Michael Graham highlights several initiatives in culture, leisure, and sport. It includes an inclusive pricing scheme for leisure activities, environmental improvements at Normanton Swimming Pool, a …

Cover image for Wakefield Council Arts, Culture and Leisure Online Surveys Privacy Notice

Wakefield Council Arts, Culture and Leisure Online Surveys Privacy Notice

Wakefield Council

This privacy notice explains how Wakefield Council collects, uses, and protects personal information gathered through online surveys related to arts, culture, and leisure activities. The data collected, which includes name, …

Cover image for Entre.Ruas: Shopping and Leisure Guide in Santa Marta do Pinhal

Entre.Ruas: Shopping and Leisure Guide in Santa Marta do Pinhal

Municipal Ecomuseum of Seixal

This document is a guide to shopping and leisure activities in Santa Marta do Pinhal, a locality in the Seixal municipality. It highlights the importance of local commerce and its …

Cover image for Avant Homes' Hearing Statement on Wakefield Local Plan 2036 - Matter 20

Avant Homes' Hearing Statement on Wakefield Local Plan 2036 - Matter 20

Wakefield Council

This hearing statement, prepared by Spawforths on behalf of Avant Homes, addresses Matter 20 of the Wakefield Local Plan 2036 concerning community facilities, leisure, and open space. Avant Homes expresses …

Cover image for Taylor Wimpey's Hearing Statement on Wakefield Local Plan 2036 - Matter 20

Taylor Wimpey's Hearing Statement on Wakefield Local Plan 2036 - Matter 20

Wakefield Council

This hearing statement, prepared by Spawforths on behalf of Taylor Wimpey, addresses Matter 20 of the Wakefield Local Plan 2036, focusing on community facilities, leisure, and open space. Taylor Wimpey …

Cover image for Culture, Leisure, and Sport Initiatives Report - September 2021

Culture, Leisure, and Sport Initiatives Report - September 2021

Wakefield Council

This report outlines several initiatives in Culture, Leisure and Sport. Key highlights include the launch of 'Aspire Active Kidz', offering free spaces for free school meal children, and the success …