Leisure Research for Social Justice: A Response to Henderson

Abstract

Leisure research based on critical theories is an effective path to social justice for groups and communities that are marginalized or oppressed by those in power. In response to Henderson (2011), who frames our work as postpositivist, we argue critical theories are a more appropriate research paradigm to reflect our philosophical positions. Our inquiry into leisure is informed by an emancipatory vision for social change that aims to enact social justice. In this response, we detail our rationale for embracing critical theories as an effective research-based approach to affect social justice. We conclude by suggesting that paradigm proliferation enables researchers to enhance social justice within their communities of concern.

Keywords:

• critical theories
• postpositivist
• social justice

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Troy Glover, Dana Kivel, and Diane Samdahl for their helpful comments on a previous version of this manuscript. Their encouragement and critiques played important roles in framing our ideas.