Leisure and Family: Perspectives of Male Adolescents Who Engage in Delinquent Activity as Leisure

Abstract

Little research has been carried out to date to investigate the family background of adolescents who choose delinquent rather than socially acceptable forms of leisure pursuit. This paper investigates the family background of male adolescents who engage in delinquent pursuits as their leisure including stability of the family structure, nature of relationships with parent(s), and aspects of leisure within the family unit. Multiple methods of data collection were used to examine these factors from the perspective of eight male youths with a history of involvement in delinquent activity as leisure. The findings indicated diversity in the structure and stability of the family unit, lack of a sense of attachment to parents, lack of shared family leisure experiences for adolescents beyond age 10, and a perceived lack of parental interest in a son's activities. Participants expressed a desire for more shared leisure experiences with parents, fathers in particular. These findings highlight the importance of the role of parents as leisure educators, providers and facilitators for their adolescent son's leisure, regardless of the nature of the family structure.