Leisure in the Turkish Context: A Preliminary Account

Abstract

The literature on leisure has been dominated by Western examples until recently. Some recent accounts of non-Western cases provide a different and richer context for understanding leisure. This study is an attempt to reveal the nature and development of leisure in the Turkish context. The historical background of leisure in Turkish society is briefly presented as an aid to understanding the current situation better. The findings of recent research on time use by Turkish people are also presented with a particular focus on leisure patterns. The data were collected through a field survey in Ankara, the capital city. The results indicate that leisure patterns vary along with settlement type and socio-demographic characteristics.