XIX ISA World Congress of Sociology (July 15-21, 2018)

250

Meanings of Leisure Across Cultures in This Globalizing World

RC13 Sociology of Leisure (host committee)

Language: English

What does “leisure” mean across cultures? Although leisure is the key target in sociology of leisure, and more broadly leisure studies, it has been a difficult task, if not impossible, to address this question given how diverse our cultures are (e.g., Liu, Yeh, Chick, & Zinn, 2008; Watkins, 2010; Ito & Walker, 2014). Moreover, the phenomenon of globalization adds another layer of challenge as our cultures have rapidly evolved as they meet different cultures (e.g., Rowe, 2006). Against this background, this session is based on the premise that understanding and discussing what “leisure” means, and constant efforts to do so, is the heart of leisure studies. This session welcomes both theoretical and empirical works that help us understand the meanings of “leisure” across cultures. Culture herein ranges from subculture within a particular group of leisure participants to a regional or even global culture. Papers should also reflect on the various implications for leisure as a site where power, violence and justice are exercised, challenged and re-produced, allowing it to facilitate both positive (e.g., well-being, awareness, social justice) and negative (e.g., discrimination, injustice; Stewart, 2014, and see other articles in this special issue) effects for its participants. We also look forward to seeing submissions from various types of scholarships, including (but not limited to) sociology, cultural studies, anthropology, and social psychology. Lastly, we specifically encourage young scholars from all parts of the globe to submit their works to this session.