Identity, consumption, globalisation….

• Marxism and leisure 


  From a Marxist point of view, the increase of consumerism benefits the ruling class in several ways
• Increase in consumerism- Marxism:


  Marxists argue that there has been a commercialisation of leisure- leisure is now a product to be bought and sold, thus making profit for big businesses.

  It does this by creating false needs

  Leisure is based on and directed by these false needs which are largely imposed by the mass media

  Therefore we have very little freedom with our leisure choices
• Marxists suggest that the misery of working in a capitalist society is made bearable in the sphere of leisure. Prevents class consciousness from developing

  This reinforces hegemony
• Marxists see leisure as a form of social control
• Neo marxists and leisure 


  Clark and Critcher argue that capitalism shapes the nature of work and the nature of leisure activities

  The state encourages participation in healthy activities in order to keep the workforce healthy

  Consumer spending creates large profits
• Postmodernism and leisure 


  Postmodernists such as Pakulski and Waters suggest that the leisure industries have become more important sources of personal identities than social class, gender…

  Leisure is part of the pick n mix pattern of consumption
• Postmodernism and leisure


  Leisure becomes a series of lifestyle choices.

  Rojek identifies 4 main differences between modern and postmodern leisure:

  • In postmodern society, work and leisure are no longer separate parts of life
  • Leisure in postmodernity is less likely to have a purpose
  • In postmodern society peoples leisure choices are no longer shaped by their position in society in terms of age, class, gender….
  • Leisure plays a key role in identity politics. People can pick and choose who to be
• Age, youth culture and identity


  It has been argued that in the last 50 years the fashion and entertainment industries have been mainly dominated by the youth.

  This is linked to the increasing amount of disposable income held by young people. The mass media are important in the development of youth subcultures as new trends are rapidly communicated to young people
• Postmodernist view of youth identity


  Some sociologists suggest that youth subcultures are now ending.

  Today young people can pick n mix fashion and music from all other subcultures.

  New technology allows young people to play games with other globally

  social media now accounts for increasing leisure time
• Leisure class and identity


  Parker suggested that social class influences the type of leisure activities we choose
• Extrinsic rewards


  Jobs aren’t enjoyed. Only done for wages
• Intrinsic satisfaction 


  Job gives a sense of prime fulfilment. Money is not the prime motivation for work p
• Those in traditional working class jobs which are done for extrinsic rewards choose leisure activities that provide an escape from work (opposition pattern)
• For semi-skilled workers leisure activities were not closely attached to work (neutrality pattern)
• Middle class professionals who work in jobs with high level of intrinsic satisfaction are willing to allow activities associated with work (extension pattern)
• According to Bourdieu leisure for the upper class is often bound with gaining the cultural advantages. Allowing them to present a superior identity
• The middle class like middle brow culture( music and novels)
• The working class enjoy mass cultural products
• From a postmodern perspective the boundaries between social class and leisure have become blurred
• regardless of our social class we can all pick and choose how we spend our leisure time
• Leisure and gender


  There are gender differences in leisure activities. Men are more likely to go to the pub and watch sports.

  Women may have responsibilities in terms of childcare meaning they have less leisure time
• Feminists suggest that gender role socialisation has an impact on womens expectations of leisure.

  Lack of affordable childcare.
• Leisure activities do are restricted by men who expect women to choose home based activities rather than going out

  Men often dominate many sporting and social venues which may make women feel uncomfortable
• Leisure and ethnicity 


  In some sports and leisure activities ethnic minorities are still underrepresented.

  Postmodernists suggest that in contemporary culture a hybridity of cultural forms had emerged that celebrates diversity.
• Globalisation and leisure


  Most countries are now industrialised to some extent and global processes associated with capitalism, such as mass production and consumption are organised across national boundaries

  mass communication technology has been central to the process of globalisation
• Postmodernism and globalisation 


  Postmodernists view globalisation as a significant factor in the trends towards consumption as a source of identity

  In this global culture identity is increasingly based on consumption patterns

  Endless choice
• The mass media and globalisation


  The mass media is organised on a global scale and has become a very important leisure activity for most people in developed countries

  It communicates ideas images and identities to people around the world
• Marxists and mass media


  Marxists would criticise how different countries can watch the same things as it provide more opportunities for the bourgeoisie to make increased profit
• Cultural supermarket 


  The development of new technologies led to many changes in the leisure industry

  We can see how people live around the world through the mass media and those images can motivate us.

  Hall argues that due to this globalisation individuals no longer tied to identities based upon the area they live in. can choose from anywhere in the world. This is called cultural supermarket effect
• The effect of the cultural supermarket 


  • ethnic minority groups express stronger pride in ethnic identity
  • the creating of hybrid identities.

  However Bilton et al suggested that the speed of change due to globalisation may lead to unstable identities
• Inequalities in leisure 


  The production of TV programmes and audiences have become fragmented due to being able to choose from hundreds of channels