Progression, Stability, or Decline? Sociological Mechanisms Underlying Change in Specialization Among Birdwatchers Academic Article

abstract

• Using a panel of American birdwatchers collected in 1997 and 2002, we tested the extent to which birdwatchers progressed over a five-year period. The impact different career contingencies and life course events had on predicting change in birdwatchers' behavior, skill, and commitment was also examined. Findings indicated that although progression characterized some birdwatchers' participation, involvement by others was better characterized by stability or decline, which was true for each of the indicators used to measure specialization. Career contingencies and life course changes had only a moderate influence on predicting change in the specialization indicators over time. Support from family members and retirement were the best predictors of change in specialization. Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

authors

• Scott, David

published proceedings

• LEISURE SCIENCES

author list (cited authors)

• Scott, D., & Lee, J.

citation count

• 33

complete list of authors

• Scott, David||Lee, Jin-Hyung

publication date

• January 2010

publisher

• Taylor & Francis  Publisher

published in

• Leisure Sciences: an interdisciplinary journal  Journal

keywords

• Career Contingencies
• Leisure Careers
• Life Course Changes
• Panel Studies
• Progression
• Serious Leisure
• Specialization

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1080/01490400903547203

start page

• 180

end page

• 194

volume

• 32

issue

• 2

URL

• http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1080%2F01490400903547203