Dimensions of Leisure for Life

Dimensions of Leisure for Life, Second Edition, guides students through a study of leisure from both individual and societal perspectives. The editors and contributors, all key experts in the field, use social science methods and current research to study the multidisciplinary field of leisure and its practical applications. Relevant career opportunities within the broad scope of the leisure services delivery system are also presented. The text emphasizes inclusivity and prepares students and professionals to incorporate inclusive practices into their work.

Part I of Dimensions of Leisure for Life, Second Edition, examines the broad dimensions of leisure and its related industries. It looks at leisure as a social science and analyzes its societal value. Part II discusses how individual dimensions of leisure affect a person’s quality of life, physical and mental health, and level of physical activity. Part III details how recreation history informs contemporary leisure studies. It uncovers the intersection of leisure and society, family life, technology, natural resources, economics, and public policy. Part IV presents the study of leisure from a consumer perspective. Awareness of local options as well as age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, and socioeconomic status; geographic distribution of leisure spaces; and stage of development all affect an individual’s participation in and level of involvement in leisure activities.

Throughout the text, students will consider the role that recreation and leisure play in their own lives. They are encouraged to seek out the resources that are available to them, learn to recognize and challenge the obstacles to participation, and commit to a leisure plan that will enhance personal growth. The book’s full-color design contains photographs and illustrations that enhance student engagement. Learning outcomes and review questions in each chapter help students set learning goals and retain key information. Vocabulary terms allow students to identify important content.

Dimensions of Leisure for Life, Second Edition, has been updated with current research and applications within the field. The second edition features the following enhancements to help students connect theoretical concepts to practical applications they can use in their future careers:

• On the Job sidebars in each chapter help students better understand common issues in the recreation and leisure workforce.
• Self-Exploration sidebars throughout the chapters provide opportunities for students to reflect on the role of leisure in their lives.
• A new chapter on leisure and family life discusses the impact of leisure on family structures and how to create valuable leisure experiences for all family members.
• The chapter on technology has been updated to reflect the digital advancements in leisure and their effect on individual equality and privacy.
• New interactive activities delivered online through HKPropel include chapter overviews, research assignments, key term flash cards, and chapter quizzes that can be automatically graded to assess student comprehension.

Dimensions of Leisure for Life, Second Edition, addresses the ways that leisure affects individual lives and even our larger society. The more we understand the dimensions of leisure that contribute to quality of life for us and those in our communities, the more likely we are to appreciate them.

Note: A code for accessing HKPropel is included with all new print books.

Tyler Tapps, PhD, is an associate professor and assistant director for health sciences at Northwest Missouri State University, where he currently serves as a fellow for institutional strategy. He received his PhD in health, leisure, and human performance from Oklahoma State University in 2009. In 2015, he was certified as a park and recreation professional by the National Recreation and Park Association, from which he also received the Robert W. Crawford Young Professional Award. Tapps is a military veteran with recreation programming experience in the military. He is a past president of the Leisure Educators section of the Missouri Park and Recreation Association.

Mary Sara Wells, PhD, is an associate professor in the department of parks, recreation, and tourism at the University of Utah, where she serves as the director of undergraduate studies. She teaches courses in youth development, community recreation, and sport management and has been a member of The Academy of Leisure Sciences (TALS), the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), and Society of Park and Recreation Educators (SPRE) since 2004. Wells has researched issues of sporting conduct in youth sport. She has published her research in numerous journals, presented at several national and international conferences, and conducted trainings and evaluations for multiple municipal youth sport agencies across the country.

Mary Parr, PhD, is a professor of recreation, park, and tourism management at Kent State University. She has received meritorious awards in teaching and service and in research and scholarly activity. Since 1987, Parr has been a member of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), where she served as chair of the Education Network (2017-2021). For over 25 years she was a member of the Society of Park and Recreation Educators (SPRE), where she served as a board member from 2007 to 2010. Parr is a member of The Academy of Leisure Sciences (TALS) and served as president in 2017. She also received the TALS Excellence in Teaching Award in 2017.