* robots

Subject: Aspects of Society

Title : Leisure

I - The influence of work on leisure

Stanley Parker

Stanley Parker categorises activities as
(1) work (paid employment);
(2) work obligations – for example, traveling to work;
(3) non-work obligations – for example, housework;
(4) physiological needs – sleep, eating;
(5) leisure.

He claims that the type of work people do and the degree of autonomy they have in it is related to their leisure activities. He claims that there are three main patterns of leisure activity:

(1) In the extension pattern, work is central to life rather than the family and leisure is an extension of work. This pattern occurs with occupations where there is a high level of autonomy and intrinsic job satisfaction.
(2) In the neutrality pattern leisure is family centred, such as a family outing. The work is undertaken for pay and conditions rather than intrinsic satisfaction.
(3) In the opposition pattern leisure is very different from work, and leisure is the central focus of interest. This pattern occurs with jobs with very low levels of autonomy.

Parker claims that the opposition pattern is shown by the studies of coal miners by Dennis, Heriques and Slaughter (in Coal is our Life) and fishermen by Jeremy Tunstall (The Fishermen). In both cases leisure activities involve drinking in pubs and working men’s clubs and can be viewed as a relief from the pressures and dangers of work, which encourage an attitude of living for the moment.
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