Discussion
If leisure professionals understood the stigma surrounding low income individuals, perhaps they could work on programs to educate others on the stigma, and to create inclusive programs for all people regardless of income levels. Perhaps if leisure professionals educated the population on the benefits of leisure, and also provided easier access to the programs, more people would be able to experience the positive aspects of leisure. Recreation and leisure professionals do have the option of going into low income neighborhoods and asking specifically what leisure programs they would like to see in their community, and what would encourage them to attend the leisure programs. This is important for recreation and leisure professionals to understand, as all people have the right to the benefits of …show more content…
Firstly, there is no noted research on the leisure choices of individuals who were able to raise their income level, either through education or employment opportunities. Further research should be done in this area. Education accessibility, albeit with debt, is becoming more of a reality with the availability of grants. As education is a way to raise income, it could change the leisure choices amongst previous individuals who are LI. If leisure professionals want to program for this group it would be encouraging to know trends in this population.
Secondly, there is a gap in the leisure choices amongst families who are LI. Most of the research points to lack of access, lack of funding, and walking as physical activity, however it does not elaborate on what the families want to do. If these families have similar leisure preferences it would allow leisure professionals to program for the population and encourage more participation in a desired activity. Endgerg et al (2012) found that a reduction of income led to a reduction of physical activity, so what would a raise in income create for populations who are LI?
If leisure professionals understood the stigma surrounding low income individuals, perhaps they could work on programs to educate others on the stigma, and to create inclusive programs for all people regardless of income levels. Perhaps if leisure professionals educated the population on the benefits of leisure, and also provided easier access to the programs, more people would be able to experience the positive aspects of leisure. Recreation and leisure professionals do have the option of going into low income neighborhoods and asking specifically what leisure programs they would like to see in their community, and what would encourage them to attend the leisure programs. This is important for recreation and leisure professionals to understand, as all people have the right to the benefits of …show more content…
Firstly, there is no noted research on the leisure choices of individuals who were able to raise their income level, either through education or employment opportunities. Further research should be done in this area. Education accessibility, albeit with debt, is becoming more of a reality with the availability of grants. As education is a way to raise income, it could change the leisure choices amongst previous individuals who are LI. If leisure professionals want to program for this group it would be encouraging to know trends in this population.
Secondly, there is a gap in the leisure choices amongst families who are LI. Most of the research points to lack of access, lack of funding, and walking as physical activity, however it does not elaborate on what the families want to do. If these families have similar leisure preferences it would allow leisure professionals to program for the population and encourage more participation in a desired activity. Endgerg et al (2012) found that a reduction of income led to a reduction of physical activity, so what would a raise in income create for populations who are LI?