Leisure and Media
Society is constantly exposed to various forms of media, be it television, radio, newspapers or the growing internet, that portray either constructed or natural images of events and issues that consequently influence our view of the world, our behaviour and our leisure pursuits. The extent to which individuals are either passive or active in recognising this significant influence on their leisure lifestyle are discussed throughout this essay from the perspectives of two sociological theories in relation to three core concepts concerning the media and society. The role of power between the media and society in relation to how the media chooses to depict events will be discussed through both a critical theory and post-foundational theoretical view point; the underlying signification of the media’s images will be discussed through a critical theoretical view point and the effects of globalisation on the media landscape and thus society will be discussed through a post-foundational view point. These concepts are discussed through these sociological theories in order to determine the responsibilities professionals working in the field of leisure need to manage in addressing the media’s significant influence on leisure.
Critical theory is a sociological theory which argues that “social reality (is) the product of people giving meaning to events and objects” (Bessant & Watts 2002, p. 41). That there are certain individuals or groups in society, like the media, who have power and utilize this power by controlling what society perceives as objective reality (Habermas 1971) in order to further the notion of a capitalist society. Critical theorists believe that by exposing and promoting only certain leisure activities, the media are limiting the choice of consumers to only those leisure activities which our sellable (Clarke & Critcher 1985) and thus forcing society to be passive in deciding their leisure activities. Post-foundationalism is a sociological theory that
Critical theory is a sociological theory which argues that “social reality (is) the product of people giving meaning to events and objects” (Bessant & Watts 2002, p. 41). That there are certain individuals or groups in society, like the media, who have power and utilize this power by controlling what society perceives as objective reality (Habermas 1971) in order to further the notion of a capitalist society. Critical theorists believe that by exposing and promoting only certain leisure activities, the media are limiting the choice of consumers to only those leisure activities which our sellable (Clarke & Critcher 1985) and thus forcing society to be passive in deciding their leisure activities. Post-foundationalism is a sociological theory that
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