Active unemployment- A leisure pattern for the future? [Le chômage actif: une avenue possible?] [El paro activo: una avenida posible?]

Citation

Kay T (1989) Active unemployment- A leisure pattern for the future? [Le chômage actif: une avenue possible?] [El paro activo: una avenida posible?]. Loisir et Société / Society and Leisure, 12 (2), pp. 413-430. https://doi.org/10.1080/07053436.1989.10715338

Abstract
The restructuring of work challenges existing concepts of leisure and is amongst the most prominent social and cultural changes occurring in industrialised societies. In the short run its effects have been most evident in the large increases in unemployment, and it has been widely suggested that ‘leisure’ may offer a part-solution to the problems of unemployed people. This is not supported by research evidence which has shown that participation in leisure activities deteriorates during unemployment. Despite this, a minority of unemployed people do develop ‘active’ leisure patterns. This paper studies the development of active leisure patterns by 18 unemployed people in Britain. Through the use of interview schedules, recall time-budget diaries, activity checklists and the ‘leisure history’ approach, it examines their current leisure behaviour in relation to (a) previous leisure patterns, and (b) their overall experience of unemployment. It concludes that their activity is part of a relatively ‘good’ experience of unemployment, in which they are protected both financially and psychologically from many of the problems which unemployed people usually face. ‘Active leisure patterns’ appear incompatible with the ‘normal’ experience of unemployment in Britain, and unlikely to become widespread unless fundamental barriers are removed

People

Professor Tess Kay

Deputy Dean and Head of Sport, Sport