The Self and Social Freedom: A Paradigm of Leisure (Interaction Theory, Self-Expression)

Leisure is characterized by perceived freedom from the constraining aspects of social role obligations. It is a distinctive relationship between the individual and the social milieu which allows a form of self-expression often inhibited in other social contexts. This view is strongly supported by theories of social interaction and the self; however, it is somewhat different than other current models of leisure. In order to evaluate this perspective, a study was designed to assess social role constraint and self-expression as experienced in everyday social contexts. Nineteen individuals were given electronic pagers for one week. At random times throughout the day they received a signal on the pager and completed a brief questionnaire to describe aspects of the immediate social context. Of the 769 responses, one third (36%) were described as leisure. LISREL analysis confirmed that freedom from social role constraint and freedom for self-expression were important concomitants of the leisure context. Without self-expression, freedom from role constraints was empty and anomic; however, with self-expression freedom from role constraints was pleasant and engaging. The importance of self-expression broadens our understanding of the freedom within leisure, and links leisure to an authenticity of experience qualitatively distinct from the "bad faith" of more common existence. Leisure offers a valuable opportunity for the holistic affirmation of oneself, and is an important realm of social experience.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Leisure Studies

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Samdahl, Diane Marie

• Sociology, General

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8623401

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/70943