The idea of a ‘leisure society’ was in its heyday in the 1960s and 1970s, when it was predicted that the pattern of falling working hours which had been experienced in Western societies in the first half of the twentieth century would continue indefinitely. The leisure society has clearly not been realised. On the contrary: contemporary industrial societies seem to be characterised by a shortage of time, experienced as ‘time squeeze’ and stress. The leisure society idea can be seen as the modern version of the age-old dream of a ‘life of ease and plenty’. This analytically and empirically rich book traces the idea in history, through biblical, classical Greek, medieval and nineteenth century utopian writings and into twentieth century concerns with dystopia and the impact of rapid technological change. The ‘leisure society’ concept turns out to have been an elusive and short-lived phenomenon. For a variety of reasons, the trend towards shorter working hours ran out of steam in the last quarter of the twentieth century. However, while leisure scholars have deserted the topic, a diverse range of activists, including environmentalists, economists and feminists, continue to make the case for reducing working hours. Whatever Happened to the Leisure Society? concludes that the on-going ‘struggle for time’ should be supported, for the sake of human health and well-being and for the sake of the planet. This is a valuable resource for students and academics in the fields of leisure studies, cultural studies, history, economics, sociology and political science.

LSA 2007 What ever happened to the leisure society? aims to turn the leisure studies multi-disciplinary gaze to the shifts in leisure practices, industries, cultures and economies over the past 30 years or so. The call for this timely reflection aims not only to consider work-leisure shifts but also seeks to evaluate developments in the theorising of leisure. The conference is aimed at academics, including researchers, research students, and lecturers in leisure studies, politics, economics, history, sociology, cultural studies, cultural policy, social policy and media studies. Practitioners in the leisure services (public, private and voluntary) will be attracted to the conference by distinctive policy and practice-based contributions. Practitioners from the cultural industries, including market researchers, industry analysts and cultural commentators, will also find the conference of interest.

This critical and empirically-rich book documents and analyses the rise and fall of the leisure society idea, examines its role in the study of leisure, and assesses its relevance to the challenges facing global society in the 21st Century.

By exploring past, current, and future intersections between leisure and health, this book considers research and academic thought to reveal and critique the nuanced ways that leisure impacts health as well as considering how health professions use leisure as a 'tool'. Aided by the diverse chapters, readers will be challenged to explore future intersections between leisure and health using an overarching eco (ecological/environmental), bio(biological), psycho (psychological), social (sociological) lens. Many of the chapters include case-studies which consider further developing leisure and health themes, particularly in relation to a number of emerging environmental, health and societal challenges that confront the world. The book will be of significant interest to researchers/academics/practitioners in the leisure, health, sport, tourism, recreation, events, social science, and arts disciplines.

The significance of work and leisure as elements of our social fabric have puzzled philosophers and social scientists for generations. This ambitious new study considers historical views of work and leisure alongside contemporary survey evidence about time-use and well-being. Combining sophisticated theoretical analysis with empirical research, the book presents a contrarian argument that defines leisure as a serious and stimulating challenge rather than an unqualified benefit or good. This is vital reading for anyone with an interest in the concept of time in the social sciences, work-life balance, organisational studies, or the history, philosophy, or sociology of work and leisure.

This is the first book to explore the meaning and significance of leisure in Chinese society, as well as the relationship between leisure and work that reveals so much about a society’s cultural values. Exploring philosophical and theoretical concepts from a Chinese perspective, the book also presents a series of cutting-edge case studies of leisure and work life that add a new dimension to our understanding of contemporary China. Featuring the work of leading Chinese researchers, the book examines key concepts and theories in contemporary leisure studies, including workleisure relationships, free time, freedom, labour alienation, leisure alienation, the impact of technology on leisure and work, and subjective well-being and health. It also presents an important snapshot of life in contemporary China – and contemporary Leisure Studies in China – at a moment in which China’s society and economy are adjusting to a new post-COVID reality. This book is fascinating reading for anybody with an interest in leisure studies, sociology, Asian studies, and cultural studies.

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Leisure Sciences journal, this book focuses on where it and leisure sciences (as a field) started and what the future might hold for both. The foremost scholars in our field dialogue, debate, critique, and reflect on leisure studies’ progress and future. Authors consider and write about the key issues and controversies of the field, developments we should be celebrating, and directions of study we should be pursing. Scholars also consider research gaps that exist in leisure research, issues we should be thinking about, and where we are now in relation to where previous projections expected. Topics in this book include: race, ethnicity, immigration, and leisure; ‘risky’ leisure research; critical leisure studies; leisure and social isolation; radical leisure; and post-qualitative radical ontology. The chapters were originally published as a special issue of Leisure Sciences.