Identity and the commodification of leisure

Abstract

This paper examines the effect commodifying leisure has on its perceived quality for the individual. We argue that leisure has a great deal to contribute to individual identity in urban industrial society, but that this is being overshadowed in a market economy which commodifies leisure and produces it for a large number of people, with a focus on profit. This idea leads us to examine the conformity and gender stereotyping potentiality of leisure to act as a restrictive rather than a liberalizing influence on identity thus devaluing the experience of leisure. Finally, we suggest that leisure providers can redirect leisure policy to ensure access to leisure outside of a purely commercial realm, a leisure that is potentially self-exploring, self-determining, rather than purchased.