Showing papers in "Leisure\/loisir in 2010"
TL;DR: This paper explored the interplay between extreme sports and the natural world in which they take place, and found that extreme sports participants developed an intimate and reciprocal relationship with the natural environment and developed a heightened respect for something greater than themselves.
Abstract: This article explores the interplay between extreme sports and the natural world in which they take place. Prior theoretical work on extreme sports has often made anthropocentric assumptions about this relationship, taking for granted that extreme participants treat nature only as a resource for athletic consumption, valuable only for its human uses. From this perspective, the natural world is regarded as a playground or battlefield, as a means to test physical prowess and human capacity. In contrast, extreme sports participants involved in this study report developing an intimate and reciprocal relationship with the natural world. A phenomenological analysis of participant accounts reveals, among veteran extreme athletes, the development of a heightened respect for something greater than themselves and a realization that humanity is simply a part of the natural environment.
79 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored whether Latino residents of two highly segregated neighbourhoods in Chicago, IL, USA, experienced or witnessed any discriminatory incidents in leisure settings; what were the most frequent places and types of discrimination they encountered; who were the perpetrators of discriminatory acts; and how people responded to discrimination.
Abstract: This study explored: (1) whether Latino residents of two highly segregated neighbourhoods in Chicago, IL, USA, experienced or witnessed any discriminatory incidents in leisure settings; (2) what were the most frequent places and types of discrimination they encountered; (3) who were the perpetrators of discriminatory acts and (4) how people responded to discrimination. Moreover, Latinos own interracial/inter-ethnic attitudes toward members of other ethnic/racial groups were examined. Data were collected with the use of surveys and focus groups. The results suggest perceived discrimination is an important constraint on recreation behaviour among Latino urban residents. The findings revealed that Latinos most often experienced discrimination from African Americans and Whites visiting the parks, as well as from law enforcement officers. Verbal harassment from other recreationists, being stopped and searched by police and being denied a service or being given substandard service were named most often as the types of discrimination. Survey respondents indicated that they responded to discrimination by visiting the locations with a group of people or by notifying the police, whereas focus groups participants suggested withdrawal was the most often employed tactic. The findings also suggested a disconnect between Latinos’ interracial/inter-ethnic attitudes at the individual and group levels. Although the interviewees reported having positive to neutral interracial/inter-ethnic attitudes, they were willing to acknowledge the existence of prejudicial attitudes among Latinos at the group level.
59 citations
TL;DR: Aboriginal communities are increasingly turning toward aboriginal tourism development to diversify their economic base, validate their claims related to proprietary rights over traditional lands and re-connect youth with elders and the community to their land and their culture.
Abstract: Aboriginal communities are increasingly turning toward aboriginal tourism development to diversify their economic base, validate their claims related to proprietary rights over traditional lands and re-connect youth with elders and the community to their land and their culture. Oftentimes, these development initiatives are tied to broader community development goals, yet the success of the tourism project is generally measured by its market readiness, revenue generation and job creation. The purpose of this article is to provide insight into the breadth of aboriginal community development benefits from tourism development through a review of literature of selected international case studies on aboriginal tourism development. Framing our approach is Bell's typology of aboriginal community development that is conceptualized as consisting of five dimensions that include community empowerment, community wellness, community economic development, community learning and community stewardship [Bell, M. (1999). Th...
37 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, sport participation is one way in which immigrants interact with established and long-term community residents, and this involvement has the potential for facilitating immigrants' sense of inclusion an...
Abstract: Sport participation is one way in which immigrants interact with established and long-term community residents. This involvement has the potential for facilitating immigrants' sense of inclusion an...
31 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors contextualize the growing phenomena involving migration of athletes from Kenya to other countries, arguing that the dominance by Kenyan athletes and the scarcity of talent in other countries that would want to gain international recognition have created a new dispensation.
Abstract: This article sets out to contextualize the growing phenomena involving migration of athletes from Kenya to other countries. It is argued that Kenya has made a mark in track athletics at world championships, Olympic and other invitation meets particularly in middle and distance running. But the dominance by Kenyan athletes and the scarcity of talent in other countries that would want to gain international recognition have created a new dispensation. The new dispensation is that of sports labour migration from Africa to the oil-rich but talent-starved countries of the Middle East and other countries keen on raising their international profiles. The unbalanced nature of global wealth and sporting corporate power has created movement of sporting talent from less paying to higher paying clubs and now nations. It is recommended that further research be undertaken to establish the level of satisfaction and acceptance of the immigrant athletes in the new countries.
28 citations
TL;DR: This paper examined Chinese and Canadian university students with respect to three questions: (1) are there similarities and differences in their travel motivations?; (2) are "escaping" motivations more important than "seeking" motivations? and (3) to what extent do gender and culture affect students' travel motivations.
Abstract: Although student travel is an important global phenomenon, few cross-cultural studies have examined this topic. Thus, this study examines Chinese (n = 352) and Canadian (n = 295) university students with respect to three questions: (1) are there similarities and differences in their travel motivations?; (2) are “escaping” motivations more important than “seeking” motivations? and (3) to what extent do gender and culture affect students' travel motivations? Analyses indicated that five of seven motivations (achievement, being different and new, risk-taking, learning and escape personal-social and physical pressures) differed significantly between Canadians and Chinese. Escaping was not significantly more important than seeking, and although the interaction between culture and gender was not significant, gender alone was significant for five of the seven motivations (learning, similar people, family togetherness, being different and new and risk-taking). Overall, this study examines the cross-cultural appli...
22 citations
TL;DR: The proposed Pimachiowin Aki World Heritage Site Project (PPAWHSP) as discussed by the authors is located in the boreal forest of Northern Canada and incorporates the traditional lands of First Nations and protected areas in Ontario and Manitoba.
Abstract: The proposed Pimachiowin Aki World Heritage Site Project (PPAWHSP), located in the boreal forest of Northern Canada, incorporates the traditional lands of First Nations and protected areas in Ontario and Manitoba. The traditional lands of the Saulteaux/Anishinabek when combined with the protected areas represent a region of natural and wilderness values covering over 43,000 km2. The creation of the PPAWHSP, for all intents and purposes, would establish a transboundary protected area linking protected areas in Ontario and Manitoba with traditional territories of First Nations, foster community-based approaches to protected areas management and promote tourism development in the region. This article provides a description of the site, then discusses how this particular proposed world heritage site (WHS) can learn from existing WHSs in Canada and elsewhere, which are managed partially or wholly with indigenous partners. Special emphasis will also be placed on discussing the issues of effective indigenous inv...
19 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a consumer survey conducted in Germany in 2007 of 470 usable responses is employed to identify segments with a high level of preference towards the four variations of farm tourism and the clusters are profiled based on the respondents' psychographic and demographic data.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to examine the potential of farm tourism differentiation. Accordingly, this article provides four concepts of a farm holiday and identifies five approachable segments of potential customers. Based on a consumer survey conducted in Germany in 2007 of 470 usable responses, a cluster analysis is employed to identify segments with a high level of preference towards the four variations of farm tourism. The clusters are profiled based on the respondents' psychographic and demographic data. Furthermore, each identified segment is described in terms of its level of appreciation for current farm tourism. This enables us to suggest promotional campaigns which redirect or intensify interest in the new forms of farm tourism.
19 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the importance of capturing children's views in this research area has not been strongly advocated and the authors seek to examine how young people's views could be better incorporated into family leisure research and what would be the value of such an approach.
Abstract: Traditionally family leisure research has been dominated by adult perspectives and particularly the individual experiences of mothers and more latterly fathers. There is a growing body of research that is beginning to develop knowledge of young people's views of family leisure but to date the importance of capturing children's views in this research area has not been strongly advocated. This article seeks to examine how young people's views could be better incorporated into family leisure research and what would be the value of such an approach. Through a systematic literature review, the article outlines what is known about young people and family leisure and considers how visible their voices have been in producing this research. From this, potential areas to develop research that considers young people more centrally are provided. Finally the article examines some of the methodological and theoretical considerations of gathering more in-depth data from both children and parents.
19 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a substantive theory on eating out as a way of balancing life was developed using grounded theory methodology, and two types of balance were identified: (1) environmental balance through spicing up life and minimizing demands and (2) social balance through binding glue and being part of a peer group.
Abstract: Twenty-eight care partners and 27 persons living with dementia in the community participated in qualitative active interviews to provide their perspectives on the meaning and experience of eating out. Using grounded theory methodology, a substantive theory on eating out as a way of balancing life was developed. Two types of balance were identified: (1) environmental balance through spicing up life and minimizing demands and (2) social balance through binding glue and being part of a peer group. The many changes noted around dementia required families to adopt strategies to help achieve balance and support successful experiences eating away from home.
17 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the first research to focus on flow as a broader experiential whole and more specifically on flow-as-a-process-experience has been presented, through phenomenological inquiry, to bring clarity to the conceptual and theoretical uncertainty surrounding what goes before and after flow.
Abstract: Today, the term “flow” stands as an established metaphorical expression for the dynamic flowing nature of experience that follows the optimal functioning of consciousness. Such expressions are most likely to be associated with the perspective of positive psychology, wherein there has been a thematic shift in discourse concerning flow theory with contemporary proponents predominantly referring to the existing flow framework, channelling their efforts into furthering the scope of its application. This shift has diverted researchers from seeking answers to more fundamental questions, such as gaining an understanding of the experiential nature and significance of what goes before and after flow. This article documents the first research to focus on flow as a broader experiential whole and, more specifically, on flow as a process-experience. The aim of this research was, through phenomenological inquiry, to bring clarity to the experiential, conceptual and theoretical uncertainty surrounding what goes before a...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used means-end theory to examine the attributes, consequences and values associated with volunteering for the San Luis Obispo (SLO) County Special Olympics as well as the volunteer demographics.
Abstract: Many non-profit recreation, parks and tourism organizations utilize volunteers. To attract and retain volunteers, these organizations must discover why volunteers donate time. This study used means-end theory to examine the attributes, consequences and values associated with volunteering for the San Luis Obispo (SLO) County Special Olympics as well as the volunteer demographics. Study participants included 55 volun teers who were asked demographic and open-ended questions during interviews at sporting and training events. Results showed most volunteers were parents of an ath lete in the program and either had been involved in the program for less than a year and donated less than 60 hours per year, or had been involved for more than 5 years and donated hundreds of hours per year. Many individuals volunteer so their child athlete will receive the benefits of sport, including increased social contact for their child, which leads them to believe their child will have warm relations with others and have a sense of belonging which leads to having increased self-confidence, leading to the ath lete enjoying their life more. Parents perceive that their child athlete receives these benefits of sport and this perception in turn generates a positive effect on the parent. Beaucoup d’organismes de loisirs a but non lucratif font appel a des benevoles. Pour attirer et conserver ces benevoles, ces organisations doivent deduire pourquoi les benevoles consacrent du temps a ces activites. Cette etude de la theorie des moyens uti lises pour fin a examiner les attributs, les consequences, les valeurs associes au benevolat, ainsi que les caracteristiques demographiques des benevoles associes aux Jeux olympiques speciaux dans le comte de San Luis Obispo (SLO). 55 benevoles par ticipants a l’etude ont ete poses des questions demographiques et des questions ouvertes reliees a des evenements sportifs. Les resultats demontrent que la plupart des benevoles sont des parents d’athlete implique dans les programmes, que ces benevoles sont impliques dans le programme depuis moins d’un an et contribue moins de 60 heu res par an. D’autres benevoles par contre, furent impliques pendant plus de cinq ans et contribue des centaines d’heures annuellement. Les avantages du benevolat selon ces individus sont les bienfaits du sport, notamment le contact social accru pour leurs enfants, le sens d’appartenance, et la confiance en soi. Les parents percoivent que leurs enfants athlete recoivent ces bienfaits du sport et cette perception a son tour, genere un effet positif sur les parents.
TL;DR: The authors describe typologies of place meaning for a small group of people who recreate on the Niagara Escarpment in southern Ontario, Canada, where participants performed a Q-sorting procedure followed by Q methodology procedures including correlation of the sorts, principal components analysis of the correlation, factor rotation, and factor interpretation.
Abstract: The sentiments people attach to natural environments have been highlighted in place-based research literature to explore the nature and power of person–place relationships. Although person–place relationships have been studied, there is a need for a better understanding of the relationships between the meanings attributed to specific natural settings and the potential of those meanings to translate into pro-environmental behaviours as well as to influence land management decisions. The purpose of this exploratory study is to describe typologies of place meaning for a small group of people who recreate on the Niagara Escarpment in southern Ontario, Canada. Participants performed a Q-sorting procedure followed by Q methodology procedures including (1) correlation of the sorts, (2) principal components analysis of the correlation, (3) factor rotation, and (4) factor interpretation. Results represent a typology of Niagara Escarpment views held by a sample of forest recreationists who live in the Niagara Regio...
TL;DR: In this article, an interpretive research paradigm was used to investigate the alternative lifestyle of cruising and found that cruising is a vehicle to experience freedom, travel, and love of the ocean.
Abstract: Cruisers have made a conscious decision to quit their land-based life to lead a more self-determined lifestyle. They own their own boats, live aboard, and are constantly on the move. An interpretive research paradigm was used to investigate this alternative lifestyle. Through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 25 cruisers, three categories of questions were represented in the data collection: motivation for cruising, relationship with the marine environment, and flow. Using the method of constant comparison, themes were constructed from these categories and a grounded theory model of the cruising lifestyle was developed. Cruising was found to be a vehicle to experience freedom, travel, and love of the ocean. Mother Ocean, spirituality/healing, and beauty were three themes connecting the participants to the marine environment. Cruisers were found to experience characteristics of flow.
TL;DR: In this paper, cultural recreations, both their content and structure, are analyzed as important communicative conduits in transmitting values that either support or contest social hierarchical development, and their historical and evolutionary relations with strains of societal hierarchy and their opposite conditions are examined.
Abstract: Forms of cultural recreations, both their content and structure, are analyzed as important communicative conduits in transmitting values that either support or contest social hierarchical development. Cultural recreations are defined broadly, including vernacular forms of recreation (e.g. music, dance, play, games), recreation's non-referential complements (rituals and language) and recreation's opposite (work), whereas societal hierarchy is differentiated from its referent in animal communities. Additionally, the factors intrinsic to specific forms of cultural recreations that make them efficacious communication vehicles are examined, as well as non-exclusive factors that enhance their communicative viability. Once forms of cultural recreations are demarcated and defined, their historical and evolutionary relations with strains of societal hierarchy and their opposite conditions are examined. It will be argued that the leisure and recreation practices of primitive man that originally transmitted communal...
TL;DR: In this article, the benefits of volunteering as a tour guide were investigated and four types of benefits emerged: psychological, social, instrumental and communal, and they were refined and extended the serious leisure framework in terms of benefits.
Abstract: This study investigated the benefits received by university students who volunteered as campus tour guides in their leisure time. Past leisure research on the benefits of volunteering mainly adopted the serious leisure framework. Although most studies supported the framework, others extended or refined it, indicating the potential for improvement. Volunteering can be a beneficial leisure activity for university students, but few leisure researchers have studied the benefits of volunteering received by university students and fewer still have studied volunteer campus tour guides. Using participant observation and in-depth interviews with 16 volunteer tour guides at a large public university in the Northeast United States, four types of benefits emerged: psychological, social, instrumental and communal. The result refined and extended the serious leisure framework in terms of benefits of volunteering. It also provides insight into the benefits derived by university student volunteers.
TL;DR: This article used the imaginative process of a theatrical script (called ethnodrama) to explain how leisure is related to happiness within a framework of positive psychology, using six thinkers: Jane Addams, Cindy Jackson, Mark Kingwell, Betsy Wearing, Martin Seligman, and Oksana Grybovych.
Abstract: The purpose of this article is to use the imaginative process of a theatrical script – also called ethnodrama – to explain how leisure is related to happiness within a framework of positive psychology. In particular, this ethnodrama presents an imaginative interdisciplinary scholarly conversation regarding how leisure is related to happiness among the following six thinkers: Jane Addams, Cindy Jackson, Mark Kingwell, Betsy Wearing, Martin Seligman, and Oksana Grybovych. This ethnodrama reflects what the authors believe could be a realistic conversation between six diverse people regarding how leisure is related to happiness through a positive psychology framework.
TL;DR: Gatineau Park is a classic example of a park confronted by management issues related to the wildland-urban interface as discussed by the authors, and the planning process for the master plan explores the issues of public participation and changing park purposes as they relate to recreation in the wild land-urban interfaces.
Abstract: Gatineau Park is a classic example of a park confronted by management issues related to the wildland–urban interface. This study examined the planning process for the master plan to explore the issues of public participation and changing park purposes as they relate to recreation in the wildland–urban interface. Although the plan acknowledges that Gatineau Park, unlike most large natural parks, protrudes into a large urban area, the planning process did not involve a systematic survey of the views of current and potential park visitors as well as the diverse population in the region as is suggested by literature on the wildland–urban interface. The plan, by stating that the park will be “managed primarily for conservation then for recreational use” (National Capital Commission, 2005, Gatineau Park Master Plan. Ottawa, ON: Author, p. 19), created a dichotomy that does not reflect an increasing recognition of the complementary nature of park visitation and the maintenance of ecological integrity.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a case study using participatory mapping to answer the question: What is the spatial impact on domestic space when parts of it are commercialized, i.e., when a home is redesigned as a bed-and-breakfast, the spatial organization is changed.
Abstract: The operation of a bed-and-breakfast establishment involves commercializing at least some segments of a domestic space for use by “outsiders” or tourists. This challenges dualistic divisions of tourist and everyday spaces and contravenes the conventional notion of the home as an everyday private space for family. In redesigning the home as a bed-and-breakfast, the spatial organization is changed. This article presents a case study using participatory mapping to answer the question: What is the spatial impact on domestic space when parts of it are commercialized?
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present 12 propositions related to behavioural loyalty and casino gambling, focusing on superstition's role as a personal moderator influencing the formation of casino gambling loyalties.
Abstract: Gambling is a popular leisure activity for people around the world and the global casino industry has expanded rapidly in recent years. Behavioural loyalty among gamblers can be very important to the success of casinos, which will benefit from marketing strategies used to induce loyal patronage. However, it must also be appreciated that extremely loyal behaviour may be an indication of problem gambling, by which this leisure activity becomes detrimental. This article presents 12 propositions related to behavioural loyalty and casino gambling, focusing on superstition's role as a personal moderator influencing the formation of casino gambling loyalties. This conceptualization is based on a pre-existing model that delineates the process by which behavioural loyalty develops in a leisure context. The propositions are divided into six main categories: the basic functions of superstition as a personal moderator, types of superstition, the casino as a setting for the development of superstition, loyalty towards...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors trace the changes in values underlying the planning and management activities in Pinery Provincial Park in Ontario from 1957 to 2009, from an overt emphasis on recreation to an increased emphasis on ecological protection, and the recognition of problems associated with very high use, by sectors of civil society and within the Parks Branch, led to a major evaluation of park management.
Abstract: All park planning and management decisions in parks are ultimately based on values. These values and meanings are translated into various forms and functions within parks. Dearden and Rollins (2009) stated that in Canada there has been a changing emphasis in park roles, and therefore changes in the underlying values and meanings over time, largely from an overt emphasis on recreation to an increased emphasis on ecological protection. This article traces the changes in values underlying the planning and management activities in Pinery Provincial Park in Ontario from 1957 to 2009. After the park establishment in 1957, increases in use reached a high of 1.2 million visitors in 1970. The recognition of problems associated with this very high use, by sectors of civil society and within the Parks Branch, led to a major evaluation of park management. New staff members were hired and a new approach to park planning and management was implemented. In 1971 a park Master Plan was approved for Pinery Provincial Park,...
TL;DR: In this article, a study conducted among workers in the leisure sector in New Brunswick illustrated the perception of the skills required to master certain work requirements in municipal recreational settings, such as managing time and priorities, the ability to prepare budgets for immediate supervisor or councils, direct employees, knowledge regarding certain types of community organizations, and computer abilities.
Abstract: This study conducted among workers in the leisure sector in New Brunswick illustrated the perception of the skills required to master certain work requirements in municipal recreational settings. Skills seen as most important include the ability to manage time and priorities, the ability to prepare budgets for immediate supervisor or councils, the ability to direct employees, knowledge regarding certain types of community organizations, and computer abilities. The ability to represent leisure departments, handle customer complaints, and develop preventive measures against prosecution for negligence, along with an understanding of funding sources available to local nonprofit organizations, and knowledge of strategies for motivating staff were also recognized. The importance of certain master skills is presented next in descending order of importance: communication and public relations, community relations, management of human resources, administrative techniques, curriculum development, equipment, faciliti...