Short Answer Questions
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Short Answer Questions
We have spent a term exploring how leisure is defined, delivered, and practised. Using this new understanding, create your own definition of leisure (10 marks). In your definition, be sure to address what leisure is/means; how it differs from other concepts, like work and play; and how you conceptualize leisure satisfaction.
The value of leisure is dependent on the experience and meaning derived from a particular activity..
Leisure is an essential part of life in that it provides one with a sense of achievement, control, freedom, and creativity. The definition of leisure is largely dependent on the value, experience, or meaning that is derived from a particular activity. As such, although swimming is my favorite sport it can be leisure or work depending on the experience that I am able to derive from the swimming session. For instance, swimming during a weekend with my friends can amount to leisure. However, swimming in order to boost my team’s performance in school does not equate to leisure but rather an activity. Therefore, the definition of leisure should embrace more precise terms such as leisure activity, state of mind, or time instead of using the term “leisure” which is likely to become misinterpreted in that it is dependent on various factors.
- Leisure as time – As explained by Belkin (2010), this is leisure that is free from other obligations, tasks, or work that is either paid or unpaid. As such, most women often lack the ability to experience leisure as time owing to family and work oriented obligations.
- Leisure as Activity – Refers to an array of activities that people often engage in during free time that are not associated with any work or the pursuits that are selected voluntarily.
- Leisure as a State of Mind – This type of leisure is dependent on the participant’s perception or state of mind. As such, individual motivation (intrinsic motivation), and perceived competence or freedom can determine one’s experience from a particular activity as leisure or not.
As such, leisure is different from other forms of activity such play and work.
Play – Play is intrinsically motivated, imaginative, and actively engaging in that it is characterized by joyfulness, spontaneity, and it is often done with the aim of deriving the inherent pleasure.
Recreation – Although many people consider recreation as part of leisure, 2019 explains that recreation is an activity that people tend to engage in during their free time in that it is often considered to have values that are socially redeeming and includes activities such as sports, dance, music, and games, among others.
Work – Unlike recreation and play, work is often undertaken to benefit an individual with monetary or material compensation. Although change in perception has enabled people to begin viewing work as leisure, the two are different in that work is still challenging and absorbing for most people compared to leisure.
Leisure Satisfaction
Satisfaction from leisure is the positive feeling or perception that an individual gain as a result of engagement in leisure activities. I often feel satisfied as a result of the feeling of achievement that I often get from participating in swimming activities. This feeling can best be understood by 2019 explanation that the degree of an individual’s satisfaction is often derived from degree of fulfillment from a particular experience or activity. The satisfaction of needs as a result of participation in leisure can also result in the attainment of feelings of happiness and contentment.
- Identify (2 marks) the difference between the concepts “race” and “ethnicity.” Define the term “leisure constraints” (2 marks) and provide an example of one intrapersonal constraint (1 mark) and one structural constraint (1 mark) that you think ethnic and visible minority group members may face. Choose one of these constraints and discuss a strategy that a leisure/recreation practitioner may use to help people negotiate it to fulfill their desired leisure (4 marks). This question seeks to provide an open, respectful opportunity for us to reflect on our role as leisure/recreation students and future practitioners in understanding and addressing systemic racism and inequality.
Contrary to most people’s understanding, ethnicity and race are distinct concepts. While race pertains to physical features such as skin color, hair, and height, ethnicity is mostly concerned with cultural features such as family patterns, religion, language, and ancestral origins. However, although these terms are different, they are likely to overlap when an individual uses the same term to describe both race and ethnicity, a phenomenon commonly referred to as racialized ethnicity. For instance, one can describe an individual as “Chinese” or “American” with the aim of identifying their ethnicity and race.
Most times, one’s desire to involve in a particular activity may be deterred by various constraints that range from financial, health, or social problems. For instance, I was not able to enjoy my participation in a hiking expenditure as a result of health related issues. As such, such factors that stand between a perceived leisure activity and the opportunity to engage actively is what amounts to leisure constraint. Leisure constraints often range from intrapersonal constraint such as religiosity or mental health issues – stress, depression – or religiosity among others. For instance, one’s religious perception towards the use of alcohol and marijuana may restrict one from achieving leisure from their use. Structural constraints such as financial issues and lack of sufficient time are likely to restrict the ability of the minority groups to engage in leisure activities.
Although leisure is expected to be a moment of fulfillment and enjoyment, the existent of constraints can restrict an individual from achieving ultimate level of fulfillment. For instance, women’s desires to engage in leisure associated the exposure of their body such as swimming may be affected by lack of body confidence and self-esteem. As such, leisure experts should identify ways in which they can reduce the effect of intrapersonal constraints that are likely to affect their ability to achieve the anticipated level of satisfaction. In order to reduce the effect of fear, anxiety or lack of perceived self-skills, women should be advised to practice in order to perfect their swimming skills. Alternatively, the should be encouraged to wear swimming kits that increase their confidence and engage in activities that will improve their body image.
- Explain (3 marks) what the “social construction of disability” is. Articulate (1 mark) what is meant by “person-first language,” and explain (2 marks) why it is the current best practice in Therapeutic Recreation work. Provide an example (2 marks) of a leisure program where persons with disabilities are segregated, and provide an example (2 marks) of a program that is inclusive.
a of social constructionism considers knowledge to be derived from, and rely upon, social context; it may differ from one society to the next and from one time period to another- Disability as “an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. An impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations.- Social constructionism [of disability] is concerned with the meaning given by society to physical, cognitive, mental, and emotional impairments”. o This meaning is created when a societal majority shares the meanings they assign to “behaviors, objects, and language” o As such, this perspective argues that society creates disability by thinking and acting in a way that assumes that everyone is an able-bodied person, thus preventing people with disabilities from being fully included in society. o It’s not that people do not experience different physical, emotional, or developmental challenges, but the way that society defines and understands these differences is what creates disabling conditions- People first language puts the person before the disability and describes what a person has and not what a person iso In reflecting on the importance of person-first language, think for a minute how you would feel to be defined by your perceived “negative” characteristics. § For instance, being referred to as the heavy boy, the acne student, or the bald lady. o To be known only by what society perceives as negative characteristics or “problems” would completely disregard all of the positive characteristics that make you as an individual who you are o Individuals with disabilities are more than their diagnosis. They are people first. The boy next door who has autism is more than an autistic boy, he is a brother, a son and a friend who happens to have autism. The girl who stutters in class is more than a stutterer – she is a daughter, a sister, and a best friend who has a fluency disorder.o People-first language places the person first, “person with a disability,” so the individual is more important than the disability, “person who is blin
- Explain (3 marks) three ways that sport can help strengthen communities. Explain (3 marks) three ways that sport can be challenging or controversial in terms of diverse populations. Define (1 mark) eSports and discuss (3 marks) whether or not you believe that competitive gamers are athletes. 5. In the final module of the term, we explored some of the factors that are likely to impact our leisure lives in the distant and not-so-distant future. Identify (0.5 marks) whether you are a Prophet-of-Doom, Utopian, or somewhere in the middle and explain (3 marks) why. Discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to impact how we understand and engage in leisure (6.5 marks).