The following paper takes a close look at the concept of leisure. A series of books and articles were retrieved in order to analyze the concept of leisure. Specifically, the term is defined and its various components and aspects are depicted. To begin with, leisure can be defined as “the condition of having one’s time free from the demands of work or duty” (Veal, 1992, p. 2). It marks the spare time that one has when free from all kinds of activities. This is the free time which can be allocated for various types of activities that are engaging and pleasurable.
Leisure time is un-obligated time; it is the time which is beyond “that which is required for existence,” such as the time allocated for sleep, eating, and other activities which keep one physically alive and well (Veal, 1992, p. 2). It is discretionary time; this time can be used as one wishes to. She may choose to spend it in a group of people or by herself. It really is up to the person. Importantly, this time is spent with pleasure. One can use it for relaxation purposes, for broadening her scope of knowledge in a given sphere, for spontaneous socialization, or to improve her health (for instance, to exercise).
Much time today is spent working. This is why numerous people wait for a chance to be free from work in order to engage in some kind of pleasurable activity (which is called leisure time). Basically, leisure can be viewed as one’s “nonwork” time (Veal, 1992, p. 4). What is also important, leisure can be seen as a mental, as well as spiritual attitude. Basically, it is not something that is derived from external factors. The perception of leisure as important is what actually instils it with meaning! Leisure can be viewed as “a condition of the soul” (Veal, 1992, p. 6).
Another source by Voss (1967) explains that due to the changes which occurred in the marketplace over the past several decades, the concept of leisure has become inevitable. The work-leisure framework is something that has emerged not so long ago. This framework directs numerous policy decisions today. Now, when it comes to the term recreation, it signifies the experience which one chooses to engage in during her leisure time (Veal, 1992). All this is done for one’s own satisfaction (basically, one’s happiness). A book by Mundy (1998) called Leisure education examines the concept of leisure from various angles. Leisure is presented as a process “through which individuals develop an understanding of leisure, of self in relation to leisure, and of the relationship among leisure, their own life-style, and society” (Mundy, 1998, p. 17).
The concept of freedom is key when it comes to leisure (Mundy, 1998). Leisure is based on the individual’s self-determination. When something is performed out of expectation or as a requirement, it is no longer leisure. At this point, one may ask whether an individual can ever be fully free. Maybe freedom is only an illusion (Mundy, 1998). While an individual’s perception of freedom is impacted by various factors (external and internal), at the end of the day, one’s perception of personal freedom is key to her understanding of leisure. Aside from the idea of freedom, responsibility is yet another important concept crucial to understanding leisure. One is always responsible for how she spends her free or leisure time. While at work one is told what to do (most times), during one’s free time the individual is fully responsible for how she manages and allocates this time.
In another book by Kraus called Recreation & leisure in modern society it is noted that modern life is often centered on the idea of recreation and leisure. In a busy modern-day world people come to value their free time much more. Leisure time spent together helps to strengthen relationships among people (friends, families, etc.). Also, the emergence of leisure as a separate field has led to the establishment of a whole industry of diverse organizations which meet the needs of people involved in recreational activities. What is also important, some types of recreation can be self-destructive. Therefore, there is a rather wide range of activities which can be deemed as recreational.
Another important factor is age. For instance, someone in their twenties may choose to spend her leisure time at a disco or socializing with friends. Other demographic factors play an important role. For example, a young woman living in an Indian village might not distinguish her leisure time from her work time (same for someone living on a farm). This is so because people living closer to nature rarely make a definite distinction between leisure and work time. The idea of leisure has emerged with the establishment of the industrial society and the growth of cities. As was mentioned above, in city conditions people are taught to strictly distinguish between their working time and free time.
Summing up, leisure time is the time one spends “doing nothing.” It is the time when one is free from all obligations and requirements (family, work, etc.). While leisure time can be spent in various ways (e.g., for improving one’s health or in ways that diminish it), one thing remains true at all times: it is solely up to the individual how she wishes to spend this time. She can spend it doing sports, sitting at a bar with some friends, watching a movie by herself or with her spouse (children, friends, etc.). The list can go on and on. However, one thing remains sure: leisure time is not spent working! It is spent resting one way or another (whichever type of recreation one finds more convenient).
- Kraus, R. G. (1997). Recreation & leisure in modern society. Boston, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
- Mundy, J. (1998). Leisure education. Champaign, IL: Sagamore Publishing.
- Veal, A. J. (1992). Definitions of leisure and recreation. Australian Journal of Leisure and Recreation, 2(4), 44-48, 52.
- Voss, J. (1967). The definition of leisure. Journal of Economic Issues, 1(1/2), 91-106.
