Toward a New Understanding of Recreational Specialization

Recreational specialization is a useful framework for exploring within-activity differences among recreation participants. Despite its utility, there is a degree of confusion surrounding the meaning of the construct. In this paper, we explore three interrelated meanings of recreational specialization. The first is that specialization refers to a continuum of behavior from the general to the particular (Bryan, 1977). This use of the construct helps researchers and recreation practitioners understand different styles of participation. Second, we examine specialization as a developmental process. Researchers assume people progress over time in leisure activities. We argue this assumption is questionable and begs for additional research. Third, specialization refers to an area of interest in which recreation participants may specialize. In this last section, we examine sources of segmentation within leisure social world and how people have careers across one or more activities within a social world.

Toward a New Understanding of Recreational Specialization Academic Article