Purposive leisure: Examining parental discourses on family activities

Current social psychological definitions of leisure may not adequately capt ure or describe family leisure. This study used discourse analysis to explo re the meanings of family leisure as revealed by parents of preteen childre n (aged 10-12 years). The data came from a study of 31 families (23 two-par ent families and 8 one-parent families) living in Ontario, Canada. Thirty m others and 23 fathers were interviewed about their family leisure activitie s, experiences, attitudes, and beliefs about family participation. Analysis showed that family participation was highly valued by all of the parents. However, rather than being freely chosen or intrinsically motivated, family leisure was purposive in that it was organized and facilitated by parents in order to achieve particular short- and long-term goals. One set of goals related to family functioning, including enhanced family communication and cohesion, and a strong sense of family. Another set of goals related to th e beneficial outcomes of family activities for children, including learning about healthy lifestyles as well as learning moral values. It is argued th at the purposive nature of this form. of leisure practice reflects current ideologies about motherhood, fatherhood, and the family in North American s ociety.