MACMILLAN Positive Sociology of Leisure: Contemporary Perspectives (Leisure Studies in a Global Era)

This edited collection explores Positive Sociology of Leisure (PSL) as a subfield relating to leisure studies, sociology of leisure, and sociology of happiness. Defined as an area of research that examines social aspects of leisure life with a focus on the optimal functioning of relationship, group, community, organization, and other social units, PSL differs from more critical forms of sociology in that its starting point is social positives. The contributions draw on a range of diverse disciplinary backgrounds to consider various meanings of leisure across themes such as: ageing; sex, sexuality and family; community, youth, and education; and arts and creativity. Positive Sociology of Leisure will be a key reference within the field of sociology of leisure, as well as an important introductory book for those interested in leisure studies. Review “Using the framework developed by Robert Stebbins, Positive Sociology complements Martin Seligman’s Positive Psychology extremely well. Congratulations to the editors for the much-anticipated publication on affirmative issues in leisure. The aspects of social life with a focus on optimal functioning of relationship, group, community, organization, and other social units are an excellent beginning for the Positive Sociology of Leisure.” ― Francis Lobo, Professor at Edith Cowan University, Australia  “This book is a very welcome addition to the sociology of leisure for highlighting the variety in how people in different countries use their leisure, and how leisure experiences enrich their lives.” ― Ken Roberts, Professor at the University of Liverpool, UK From the Back Cover This edited collection explores Positive Sociology of Leisure (PSL) as a subfield relating to leisure studies, sociology of leisure, and sociology of happiness. Defined as an area of research that examines social aspects of leisure life with a focus on the optimal functioning of relationship, group, community, organization, and other social units, PSL differs from more critical forms of sociology in that its starting point is social positives. The contributions draw on a range of diverse disciplinary backgrounds to consider various meanings of leisure across themes such as: ageing; sex, sexuality and family; community, youth, and education; and arts and creativity. Positive Sociology of Leisure will be a key reference within the field of sociology of leisure, as well as an important introductory book for those interested in leisure studies. About the Author Shintaro Kono is Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, at the University of Alberta, Canada. Anju Beniwal is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Govt. Meera Girls College, Udaipur, India.  Priyanka Baweja is a PhD candidate in Anthropology at Rajasthan University, India.  Karl Spracklen is Professor of Leisure Studies at Leeds Beckett University, UK.