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.
