ix, 236 pages : 28 cm Pastimes reflects a wide range of material from the disciplines of leisure studies, sociology, psychology, economics, political science, anthropology, geography, the humanities, and media and cultural studies. The 6th edition contains updated and new illustrations of concepts through field-based cases, biographical features, exploratory activities, and research studies Includes bibliographical references and index Leisure as a condition of being human: personal context. The meanings of leisure -- Why leisure is vital -- Explaining leisure behavior -- Leisure and health -- Leisure as a cultural mirror: societal context. Leisure's anthropology -- Leisure's geography -- Leisure and technology -- Popular culture -- Taboo recreation -- Leisure as instrument: systems context. For and against productivity -- The freedom and tyranny of time -- Is leisure fair? -- Leisure systems