Meanings of leisure for older people: an Australian study of line dancing

ABSTRACT

In Australia and in many parts of the world, older people participate in line dancing. Our phenomenological study explored whether attending a regular line dancing class might offer a group of older people opportunities for active and successful ageing. Our research investigated the meanings and practices fostered in a community line dancing class in Melbourne. We gathered data via an interview with the teacher of the group, observation of a class and two focus group interviews with 25 members. Data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis that is reported thematically under headings of: Belief in the efficacy of line dancing, Physical and emotional benefits, YouTube clips as instructional reinforcement and promotion, and Socialising. The findings show that participation in the class offered older student’s opportunities for dance and music engagement, active and successful ageing, health and well-being, social connection and purposeful leisure. The teacher of the class modelled serious and successful leisure and advocates for dance as holistic training for older people. We position our participants on a continuum of leisure engagement that ranges from the casual to the serious. Further research is required to support arguments for the efficacy of dance as a leisure pursuit for older adults.

KEYWORDS:

• Line dancing
• active and successful ageing
• serious leisure
• social connection
• well-being

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Dawn Joseph

Dr Dawn Joseph is an Associate Professor in music and education studies in the Faculty of Arts and Education, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. She teaches in undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Dawn researches, publishes and reviews in national and international journals in music education, teacher education, African music, cultural diversity and multiculturalism and ageing and well-being. She is past Chair of the Australian Society for Music Education (Victorian Chapter) and a member of the National Committee of this association.

Jane Southcott

Dr Jane Southcott is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education, Monash University. Her phenomenological research explores music education, cultural identity and community music. She teaches in postgraduate and pre-service programmes and supervises many postgraduate research students. Jane is Immediate Past National President of the Australian and New Zealand Association for Research in Music Education and a member of the editorial boards of international and national refereed journals.