Memories bridge the gap between theory and practice in women’s leisure research

Abstract

A gap exists between women’s leisure experiences and the theoretical constructs available to them to talk about and investigate their experiences. This paper suggests that the method of memory-work, by offering women a framework for individually and collectively writing, sharing and reflecting on their leisure related memories, can begin to bridge this gap. Using this framework women participating in this research were able to challenge the traditional view of holidays as leisure. Holidays as leisure were problematic because they could contain four elements not assigned to holidays by traditional leisure researchers: obligation, work, social disapproval and responsibility. Participation in this research led some women to discoveries about leisure in their lives which changed the way they viewed leisure.