From work to leisure: a study of leisure for out of work middle-aged men

Abstract

In New Zealand we have experienced and are presently experiencing structural changes within the economy, the adoption of labour-saving technologies, and the deflationary policy of the government, all of which have resulted in a rapid rise in the number of people who are out of work. One specific group within our society who are losing jobs are middle-aged men, in the pre-retirement age bracket of 40-55 years. For the purposes of this study, five out of work middle-aged men were interviewed to gain a picture of how they were coping without paid employment. The findings of the interviews are merged with a review of existing literature on work-leisure relationships, with particular reference to studies of the decline of work, retirement and leisure, and unemployment and leisure. The literature review (which primarily draws on overseas research) provides the heart of this study. The men interviewed had all adopted leisure as their new lifestyle and had decided on early retirement rather than searching for new careers. All reported the new leisure-orientated lifestyle to be both fulfilling and satisfying. Since the sample size is small, extrapolations to all out of work middle-aged men cannot be justified. However, this study does illuminate some of the effects of being out of work and how leisure can, to an extent, fulfil needs that might previously have been met in paid employment. Some out of work individuals are inadequately prepared for the new lifestyle ahead of them. This study discusses the role of leisure education in helping individuals adapt, and highlights the role that leisure planners and providers can play to show such individuals that their enforced free (leisure) time can be fulfilling.