'I feel like we finally matter': the role of youth-led approaches in enhancing leisure-induced meaning-making among youth at risk. Issue 4 (2nd October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hopper, Tristan D.; Iwasaki, Yoshitaka; Walker, Gordon J.; McHugh, Tara-Leigh F.
• Is Part Of: Leisure. Volume 43:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 419
• Page End: 444
• Publication Date: 2019-10-02
• Subjects: Youth at risk -- meaning-making -- leisure -- youth leadership -- engagement; jeunes vulnérables -- jeunes à risque -- recherche de signification -- loisirs -- leadership des jeunes -- engagement; 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: 10.1080/14927713.2019.1697351
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1492-7713

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how engaging youth at risk through a youth-led approach to recreation and leisure programming can contribute to leisure-induced meaning-making. Seven women (four youth at risk [18–22 years] and three adult recreation practitioners) participated in one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Data were also generated via observation and field notes. A three-phase process of content analysis was used to analyse findings. Findings suggest that youth-led approaches to recreation and leisure programming can contribute to leisure-induced meaning-making by: (a) supporting interests and endeavours; (b) connecting to community; (c) overcoming barriers, together; (d) co-creating safe spaces to be engaged; and (e) developing personal and collective positive outcomes. This research makes theoretical contributions to the leisure literature and provides essential insights regarding proactive engagement of youth at risk and meaning-making for practitioners and policy makers from a practical perspective.