Play, Physical Activity and Public Health

The Reframing of Children's Leisure Lives

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Education & Teaching, Teaching, Physical Education, Sports, Reference, Health & Well Being, Health
Cover of the book Play, Physical Activity and Public Health by Stephanie A. Alexander, Katherine L. Frohlich, Caroline Fusco, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Stephanie A. Alexander, Katherine L. Frohlich, Caroline Fusco ISBN: 9781351971690
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: July 11, 2018
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Stephanie A. Alexander, Katherine L. Frohlich, Caroline Fusco
ISBN: 9781351971690
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: July 11, 2018
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Are children playing less than they used to? Are rising obesity rates linked to a decline in children’s time to play freely? These and other related questions have filled the pages of newspapers, magazines and scholarly journals for the past decade. Researchers and journalists have attributed these issues to societal changes around children’s lives and leisure, the growth of structured and organised activities and increasing perceptions of risk in children’s play. Play, Physical Activity and Public Health presents a discussion of the way modern notions of play are rendering children’s leisure activities less free and less engaged in simply for fun.

Based on original qualitative research, and analysis of contemporary media from Canada and elsewhere, this book argues that the growing health concerns around childhood play entail a paradox: by advocating, promoting, discussing, and re-directing children’s play, a new form of children’s leisure is emerging - one that is purpose-driven, instrumentalised for health, and ultimately, less free. We explore how play has become goal-oriented, a means to health ends, and how the management of pleasure in play as well as diverse risk discourses around play continue to limit and constrain possibilities for children and families to play and engage in leisure freely. Incorporating past critiques of this trend in play, we argue for research and practice to create new possibilities and ways of thinking about children's play, leisure, fun and childhood, that are less constrained and managed, and importantly less geared towards health goals.

This is a valuable resource for students of the sociology of sport, kinesiology, sports and health psychology, education, public health, and childhood studies. It is also an important read for school teachers, public health practitioners, psychologists, physical education teachers, academics and parents interested in how children’s leisure lives are being shaped by the growing and diverse discussions around play.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Are children playing less than they used to? Are rising obesity rates linked to a decline in children’s time to play freely? These and other related questions have filled the pages of newspapers, magazines and scholarly journals for the past decade. Researchers and journalists have attributed these issues to societal changes around children’s lives and leisure, the growth of structured and organised activities and increasing perceptions of risk in children’s play. Play, Physical Activity and Public Health presents a discussion of the way modern notions of play are rendering children’s leisure activities less free and less engaged in simply for fun.

Based on original qualitative research, and analysis of contemporary media from Canada and elsewhere, this book argues that the growing health concerns around childhood play entail a paradox: by advocating, promoting, discussing, and re-directing children’s play, a new form of children’s leisure is emerging - one that is purpose-driven, instrumentalised for health, and ultimately, less free. We explore how play has become goal-oriented, a means to health ends, and how the management of pleasure in play as well as diverse risk discourses around play continue to limit and constrain possibilities for children and families to play and engage in leisure freely. Incorporating past critiques of this trend in play, we argue for research and practice to create new possibilities and ways of thinking about children's play, leisure, fun and childhood, that are less constrained and managed, and importantly less geared towards health goals.

This is a valuable resource for students of the sociology of sport, kinesiology, sports and health psychology, education, public health, and childhood studies. It is also an important read for school teachers, public health practitioners, psychologists, physical education teachers, academics and parents interested in how children’s leisure lives are being shaped by the growing and diverse discussions around play.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Towards a Critical Theory of Society by Stephanie A. Alexander, Katherine L. Frohlich, Caroline Fusco
Cover of the book Bullying and Young Children by Stephanie A. Alexander, Katherine L. Frohlich, Caroline Fusco
Cover of the book China and International Relations by Stephanie A. Alexander, Katherine L. Frohlich, Caroline Fusco
Cover of the book Wild/lives by Stephanie A. Alexander, Katherine L. Frohlich, Caroline Fusco
Cover of the book Insight by Stephanie A. Alexander, Katherine L. Frohlich, Caroline Fusco
Cover of the book Contemporary Visual Culture and the Sublime by Stephanie A. Alexander, Katherine L. Frohlich, Caroline Fusco
Cover of the book Inequality, Crime and Public Policy (Routledge Revivals) by Stephanie A. Alexander, Katherine L. Frohlich, Caroline Fusco
Cover of the book Creativity and Cultural Policy by Stephanie A. Alexander, Katherine L. Frohlich, Caroline Fusco
Cover of the book Enlightenment Cosmopolitanism by Stephanie A. Alexander, Katherine L. Frohlich, Caroline Fusco
Cover of the book Professional Development Through Action Research by Stephanie A. Alexander, Katherine L. Frohlich, Caroline Fusco
Cover of the book Myth and Mythmaking by Stephanie A. Alexander, Katherine L. Frohlich, Caroline Fusco
Cover of the book Tourism and the Anthropocene by Stephanie A. Alexander, Katherine L. Frohlich, Caroline Fusco
Cover of the book Modernity, Medicine and Health by Stephanie A. Alexander, Katherine L. Frohlich, Caroline Fusco
Cover of the book Loss and Change (Psychology Revivals) by Stephanie A. Alexander, Katherine L. Frohlich, Caroline Fusco
Cover of the book Nation and Region in Grierson’s Linguistic Survey of India by Stephanie A. Alexander, Katherine L. Frohlich, Caroline Fusco
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy