Human rights, leisure and leisure studies

Abstract

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, endorsed by the United Nations in 1948, includes the right to leisure time, to cultural participation and to travel. While the idea of human rights permeates many aspects of national and international life, it appears not to have permeated the field of leisure studies to any great extent, unlike some cognate areas, such as sport and tourism studies. The purpose of this paper is not to remedy this situation but to argue that this neglect is unjustified and to suggest that leisure researchers might incorporate the idea of human rights and leisure rights into their work. The paper is divided into six main parts. First it considers the parallels between the neglect of human rights in sociology up until the 1990s and the continuing neglect in the field of leisure studies. Second, it considers the basis of human rights in general. Third, it examines the nature of the leisure rights declared in the Universal Declaration. Fourth, the place of leisure in general critiques of economic, social and cultural rights is assessed. Fifth, the relationship between human rights and a number of themes in leisure studies is briefly explored, including: the work/leisure divide; the individual versus society; freedom; gender; globalization; and policy. Finally some suggestions are made for a research agenda on human rights and leisure.

Leisure as a human right special edition introduction

“…As Veal (2015) points out, there are over 25 declarations/conventions/covenants developed by various international and regional organizations that pertain to leisure as a human right. While it is clear there has been a global consensus that access to leisure is a human right, there still remain a number of challenges and issues that individuals, communities and nations face in relation to fulfilling this right.…”

“…Veal (2015) argues that leisure scholars have neglected human rights as a field of study. While some within leisure studies have explored aspects related to leisure and human rights (e.g.…”

“…see Edginton 2006;Edginton et al 2006;Rojek 2005aRojek , 2005b this work is relatively limited. Veal (2015) notes there have been some scholars outside of the leisure studies field who have explored leisure as a human right (Richards and Carbonetti 2013;Risse 2009). However, in the main leisure scholars have tended to focus on specific populations and groups (e.g.…”

“…However, in the main leisure scholars have tended to focus on specific populations and groups (e.g. women or people with a disability) within the framework of inclusive practice (Veal 2015).…”

Isn’t it good, Norwegian wood? Lifestyle and adventure sports participation among Norwegian youth

“…Risse (2009) considers the philosophical and legal arguments surrounding labour rights, the right to work and the right to rest and leisure. From within leisure studies, Veal (2015) charts existing critical scholarship that can be viewed as leading leisure theorists to an ineluctable engagement with human rights. Indeed, the Australian and New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies (ANZALS) 12th Biennial conference (2015) was entitled 'Leisure as a Human Right' .…”