Dimensions of Leisure for Life

Part I: Dimensions of Leisure

Chapter 1. Importance of Leisure to Individuals and Society
Descriptions and Definitions
Importance of Leisure and Recreation for Individuals and Society
Value of a Leisure Ethic
Areas of the Leisure Industry
Summary
Learning Activities
Review Questions

Chapter 2. Leisure Through a Social Science Lens
We Are All Social Scientists
Benefits of Social Science
Social Science Perspectives
Connecting the Social Sciences to Leisure
Summary
Learning Activities
Review Questions

Part II: Leisure as Part of Your Lifestyle

Chapter 3. Leisure and Quality of Life
What Is Quality of Life?
The Connection Between Leisure and Quality of Life
Strategies for Enhancing Quality of Life Through Leisure
Summary
Learning Activities
Review Questions

Chapter 4. Leisure, Health, and Physical Activity
Physical Activity Trends
What Is Health?
Park and Recreation: Making a Difference
Leisure and Life Stress
Promoting Lifelong Physical Health Through Recreation and Leisure
Examining Factors That Influence Behavior
Strategies and Examples of Enhancing Physical Health Through Leisure
Summary
Learning Activities
Review Questions

Chapter 5. Leisure and Well-Being
Understanding Well-Being and Mental Health
Stress and Well-Being: The Important Role of Coping
Managing Stress to Enhance Well-Being
Participating in Meaningful Leisure to Enhance Well-Being
Determinants of Happiness
Leisure Choices That Undermine Well-Being
Strategies for Enhancing Mental Health and Well-Being Through Leisure
Summary
Learning Activities
Review Questions

Part III: Dimensions of Leisure in Society

Chapter 6. Leisure History and Heritage
Understanding Leisure From a Historical Perspective
The Primacy of Leisure
Importance of Fire and Its Effect on the Division of Labor
Agricultural Alternatives
Rise of Civilization
Leisure in the Land of the Pharaohs
Emergence of Greece
Caput Mundi: The Glory of Rome
Medieval Period: Castles, Churches, and the Peasant Culture
Renaissance: A Resurgence of Classical Values
Industrial Revolution
Origins and Development of Recreational Services in the United States
Heritage of the National Recreation and Park Association
Leisure, Recreation, and Quality of Life
Summary
Learning Activity
Review Questions

Chapter 7. Contemporary Leisure
Generations
Ways of Seeing, Ways of Knowing
Defining Popular and Culture: Historical and Sociological Views
Summary
Learning Activities
Review Questions

Chapter 8. Leisure and Family Life
Families in Society
Family Functions That Support Health and Well-Being in Society
Who Are Families?
Using Leisure to Increase Families’ Health
Creating Maintenance and Growth Connection Experiences in Family Leisure
Summary
Learning Activities
Review Questions

Chapter 9. An Introduction to Digital Leisure
The Role of Digital Technologies in Our Leisure Time
The Role of Digital Technologies in Shaping Identity
The Creepiness of Digital Technologies on Our Bodies
The Impact of Digital Technologies on Our Social Lives
Equitability of Digital Leisure Spaces
Big Brother Watching During Our Leisure Time
Summary
Learning Activities
Review Questions

Chapter 10. Leisure, Natural Landscapes, and Sustainability
Changing Landscapes in North America
Managerial Challenges
Moving Toward a Sustainable Future
Moving Beyond Islands of Hope
Summary
Learning Activities
Review Questions

Chapter 11. Leisure Economics
Leisure Economics: An Illustration
Economic Foundations
Leisure Economics and Its Importance
Economic Impact Within the Predominant Leisure Service Delivery Models
Leisure Trends: Economic Implications
Summary
Learning Activities
Review Questions

Chapter 12. Leisure, Politics, and Public Policy
Governmental Role in Leisure
Federalism
Pluralism and Public Policy
Justification for Public Recreation and Leisure
Summary
Learning Activities
Review Questions

Part IV: Leisure in Your World

Chapter 13. Campus and Community
What Is a Microcosm?
Explore Your Campus and Campus Recreation
Discover Opportunities: Components of Campus Recreation
Technology and Campus Recreation
Have a Voice and Get Involved: Volunteer and Job Opportunities on Campus
Explore Your Community
Discover Opportunities in Community Recreation
Summary
Learning Activities
Review Questions

Chapter 14. Leisure for All
People With Disabilities
Older Adults
Sports
Location and Income
Leisure and Segments of Society
Summary
Learning Activities
Review Questions

Chapter 15. Leisure and Geography
Spatial Distribution of Leisure Places
Development of Leisure Places
Leisure Travel and Transportation
Impacts of Leisure on Places
Positive Impacts of Leisure Development
Negative Impacts of Leisure Development
Climate Change and Leisure
Summary
Learning Activities
Review Questions

Chapter 16. Leisure Across the Life Span
Life Span Concepts
Introduction to Developmental Theory
Developmental Aspects and Leisure Participation Across the Life Span
Summary
Learning Activities
Review Questions

Chapter 17. Charting Your Course
Whose Life Is This, Anyway?
Changing Obstacles Into Opportunities
Finding Resources
Form an Action Plan
Monitor, Evaluate, and Modify Your Leisure Experience
Summary
Learning Activities
Review Questions

Dimensions of Leisure for Life, Second Edition With HKPropel Access, guides students through a study of leisure from both individual and societal perspectives. The editors and contributors, all key experts in the field, use social science methods and current research to study the multidisciplinary field of leisure and its practical applications. Relevant career opportunities within the broad scope of the leisure services delivery system are also presented. The text emphasizes inclusivity and prepares students and professionals to incorporate inclusive practices into their work.

Part I of Dimensions of Leisure for Life, Second Edition, examines the broad dimensions of leisure and its related industries. It looks at leisure as a social science and analyzes its societal value. Part II discusses how individual dimensions of leisure affect a person’s quality of life, physical and mental health, and level of physical activity. Part III details how recreation history informs contemporary leisure studies. It uncovers the intersection of leisure and society, family life, technology, natural resources, economics, and public policy. Part IV presents the study of leisure from a consumer perspective. Awareness of local options as well as age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, and socioeconomic status; geographic distribution of leisure spaces; and stage of development all affect an individual’s participation in and level of involvement in leisure activities.

Throughout the text, students will consider the role that recreation and leisure play in their own lives. They are encouraged to seek out the resources that are available to them, learn to recognize and challenge the obstacles to participation, and commit to a leisure plan that will enhance personal growth. The book’s full-color design contains photographs and illustrations that enhance student engagement. Learning outcomes and review questions in each chapter help students set learning goals and retain key information. Vocabulary terms allow students to identify important content.

Dimensions of Leisure for Life, Second Edition, has been updated with current research and applications within the field. The second edition features the following enhancements to help students connect theoretical concepts to practical applications they can use in their future careers:

• On the Job sidebars in each chapter help students better understand common issues in the recreation and leisure workforce.
• Self-Exploration sidebars throughout the chapters provide opportunities for students to reflect on the role of leisure in their lives.
• A new chapter on leisure and family life discusses the impact of leisure on family structures and how to create valuable leisure experiences for all family members.
• The chapter on technology has been updated to reflect the digital advancements in leisure and their effect on individual equality and privacy.
• New interactive activities delivered online through HKPropel include chapter overviews, research assignments, key term flash cards, and chapter quizzes that can be automatically graded to assess student comprehension.

Dimensions of Leisure for Life, Second Edition, addresses the ways that leisure affects individual lives and even our larger society. The more we understand the dimensions of leisure that contribute to quality of life for us and those in our communities, the more likely we are to appreciate them.

Note: A code for accessing HKPropel is included with all new print books.

Tyler Tapps, PhD, is an associate professor and assistant director for health sciences at Northwest Missouri State University, where he currently serves as a fellow for institutional strategy. He received his PhD in health, leisure, and human performance from Oklahoma State University in 2009. In 2015, he was certified as a park and recreation professional by the National Recreation and Park Association, from which he also received the Robert W. Crawford Young Professional Award. Tapps is a military veteran with recreation programming experience in the military. He is a past president of the Leisure Educators section of the Missouri Park and Recreation Association.

Mary Sara Wells, PhD, is an associate professor in the department of parks, recreation, and tourism at the University of Utah, where she serves as the director of undergraduate studies. She teaches courses in youth development, community recreation, and sport management and has been a member of The Academy of Leisure Sciences (TALS), the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), and Society of Park and Recreation Educators (SPRE) since 2004. Wells has researched issues of sporting conduct in youth sport. She has published her research in numerous journals, presented at several national and international conferences, and conducted trainings and evaluations for multiple municipal youth sport agencies across the country.

Mary Parr, PhD, is a professor of recreation, park, and tourism management at Kent State University. She has received meritorious awards in teaching and service and in research and scholarly activity. Since 1987, Parr has been a member of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), where she served as chair of the Education Network (2017-2021). For over 25 years she was a member of the Society of Park and Recreation Educators (SPRE), where she served as a board member from 2007 to 2010. Parr is a member of The Academy of Leisure Sciences (TALS) and served as president in 2017. She also received the TALS Excellence in Teaching Award in 2017.