Rediscovering the adult play group. Issue 2 (3rd April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Scott, David
• Is Part Of: Leisure. Volume 42:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 231
• Page End: 242
• Publication Date: 2018-04-03
• Subjects: Adult play group -- community -- sociability -- social world; groupes de jeu pour adultes -- communauté -- socialisation -- monde social; Recreation -- Ontario -- Periodicals; Recreation -- Government policy -- Ontario -- Periodicals; Loisirs -- Ontario -- Périodiques; Loisirs -- Politique gouvernementale -- Ontario -- Périodiques; Recreation; Recreation -- Government policy; Ontario; Periodicals; 790.0971305
• DOI: 10.1080/14927713.2018.1449135
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1492-7713

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The study of recurring groups of adults involved in common leisure activity is scant. Adult play groups are important to participants, and studying them furthers our understanding of the community-building potential of leisure. In this paper, I seek to rediscover adult play group by outlining five themes. Borrowing from Huizinga, I begin by arguing that participation in leisure activities contributes to the emergence of play groups. I then argue that group members strive collectively to facilitate order by creating boundaries that set themselves apart from others. I then explain that play groups vary in the extent to which friendships are integral to their long-term functioning. Next, I describe how play groups influence participants' frequency of involvement in leisure activities. Finally, I argue that play groups provide participants an important context for resisting dominant ideologies and discourses.