The book addresses a crisis in Leisure Studies, highlighting the significant transformations in human life and social processes in the twenty-first century. It explores the emergence of diverse leisure worlds, aiming to revitalize the field by reshaping perceptions of leisure. Through this exploration, it encourages a fresh understanding of how leisure is experienced and conceptualized in contemporary society.
The Pre-History and After-Life of the Inbetweener Generation
Focusing on generational change, the book examines northern working-class life in the latter half of the twentieth century. It engages with Zygmunt Bauman's concept of modernity, contrasting the stability of solid modernity with the fluidity of liquid modernity, offering a fresh perspective on historical transformations and their impact on society.
Exploring the complex concept of leisure, the author analyzes various definitions, theories, and perspectives before introducing his own theory of "liquid leisure." This innovative approach challenges readers to consider the implications of leisure in contemporary society and its potential impact on the future of civil life. The book provides a comprehensive examination of leisure's multifaceted nature, encouraging critical thought about its role in personal and social contexts.
Offering a clear and critical overview, this introduction to community studies is designed specifically for students. It emphasizes the multi-disciplinary nature of the field, making complex concepts accessible and engaging.
The first full length dictionary of leisure studies, offering a critical survey of this increasingly popular and interdisciplinary field and incisive overviews of the key figures whose work exercises the most powerful influence on leisure studies today.
Offering a clear and accessible introduction to Zygmunt Bauman's ideas, this book caters to readers without prior knowledge of his work. It serves as an essential guide for those interested in exploring the concepts of this influential thinker, making complex theories approachable and engaging.
Consumption, Peformativity and Social Control
The book explores the increasing visibility of deviant behaviors in contemporary sports, such as violence, drug use, and discrimination, reframing these issues through a sociocultural lens. It challenges traditional moral judgments and emphasizes the role of consumer perception in shaping the discourse around deviance. By providing fresh insights into the sociology of sport, it aims to engage both academics and students, encouraging a re-imagination of deviance in this context.
Focusing on the social networks and leisure lifestyles of working-class men, this groundbreaking study offers a fresh perspective on contemporary youth and masculinity. It combines raw, compelling accounts of leisure experiences such as 'pubbing and clubbing' with a sophisticated postmodern analysis, providing valuable insights into the ethnography of leisure. Through the voices of the boys themselves, the book delves into the complexities of their identities and social interactions.