Leisure Education Grounded in Social Justice: A Facilitation Technique that Contributes to Inclusive Leisure and Therapeutic Recreation

Abstract

Leisure education is an important area of service that encourages people to participate actively in physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally healthy activities. This educational approach empowers people to make decisions, discover new information and resources about leisure, and navigate stressful transitions throughout their lives. The purpose of this paper is to clarify that leisure education is grounded on principles of social justice and facilitates two synergistic service contexts of inclusive leisure and therapeutic recreation (TR). To achieve this purpose, this paper contains supportive literature identifying that leisure education grounded in social justice principles is a facilitation technique used in providing inclusive leisure and TR services. Further, the literature presented in the paper provides a rationale for grounding leisure education on social justice to assist people in achieving goals of leisure associated with authenticity and self-determination, positive health and well-being, and flourishing. The paper increases understanding of leisure education and ways TR practitioners can use it to positively support people to live the lives they value. Therefore, this paper provides a unique contribution to the literature by identifying that social justice can be the basis for leisure education as a component of both TR and inclusive leisure services designed to help participants experience authenticity and self-determination culminating in leisure, positive health, well-being, and flourishing.