Social Studies: 'Serious Leisure'

[Harry Veeder <eo200@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Social Studies.

from http://www.leisurestudies.uiuc.edu/resources/concepts/serious.html

Serious Leisure is a form of general leisure, which is difficult to define
as it can encompass all manner of activities. The three types of serious
leisure include amateurism, hobbyist pursuits and volunteering. There are
six characteristics that distinguish it from other types of leisure:

1.    The occasional need to persevere, despite stage fright, embarrassment,
anxiety, weather, physical danger, fatigue and injury.

2.    The tendency to have enduring careers in their endeavors, with
background contingencies, history of turning points and stages of
achievement or involvement.

3.    Significant personal effort based on specially acquired knowledge,
training or skill.

4.    There are durable benefits such as; self-actualization,
self-enrichment, self-expression, renewal of self, feelings of
accomplishment, enhancement of self-image, belonging, and lasting physical
products.

5.    A unique ethos or subculture which develops around the activity. The
creation of a distinctive social world.

6.    The tendency to identify strongly with the chosen pursuit. Inclination
to speak proudly, excitedly and frequently about the pursuit to other people
and to present (or introduce) themselves in terms of the pursuit when
conversing with new acquaintances. (Stebbins)

Researchers study serious leisure because there is a belief that the nature
of work is changing, and work will become less meaningful. There will be
shorter work weeks, and shifting work hours. Because of tedious jobs, people
will no longer tend to identify with their work roles and will need leisure
to define themselves and because serious leisure teaches skills which are
being lost.

Serious leisure also incorporates Fandom and Crafts.

end