Abstract
This introduction chapter describes the origin of this book project and the field of positive sociology of leisure (PSL), drawing on Stebbins’ works and the positive sociology movement. The chapter also defines PSL as an area of research that examines social aspects of leisure life with a focus on the optimal functioning of relationship, group, community, organization, and other social units. Moreover, PSL is connected to the extant leisure studies literature to show that there is a history of PSL-like works in the field. Yet, the chapter also points out that more focused and articulated PSL research is necessary to further advance happiness studies and leisure studies. Lastly, it provides an overview of the rest of this book’s structure.
A manuscript exclusively for Positive Sociology of Leisure: Contemporary Perspectives on Sociology of Leisure, Leisure Studies in a Global Era, Palgrave Macmillan
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Kono, S., Beniwal, A., Baweja, P., Spracklen, K. (2020). Introduction to Positive Sociology of Leisure. In: Kono, S., Beniwal, A., Baweja, P., Spracklen, K. (eds) Positive Sociology of Leisure. Leisure Studies in a Global Era. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41812-0_1
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