Time, Freedom and the Self
The Cultural Construction of “Free” Time
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Beschreibung
While abundant research has investigated time use, much less attention has been given to the cultural meanings attached to free time and what these may express with regard to conceptions of freedom and the self. In an attempt to fill this gap, Michelle Shir-Wise examines not only what people do in their free time, but also how they perceive, interpret and experience it, and in what way it relates to notions of happiness, freedom and the ideal self. Time, Freedom and the Self draws on contemporary theoretical debates concerning the relation between discourse, cultural repertoires, subjective meaning and agency, as well as literature around the sociology of leisure, to inform a unique interpretation of free time (“disciplined freedom”), developed in the light of in-depth questionnaires and interviews with middle-class, middle-aged participants in suburban Israel.
While abundant research has investigated time use, much less attention has been given to the cultural meanings attached to free time and what these may express with regard to conceptions of freedom and the self. In an attempt to fill this gap, Michelle Shir-Wise examines not only what people do in their free time, but also how they perceive, interpret and experience it, and in what way it relates to notions of happiness, freedom and the ideal self. Time, Freedom and the Self draws on contemporary theoretical debates concerning the relation between discourse, cultural repertoires, subjective meaning and agency, as well as literature around the sociology of leisure, to inform a unique interpretation of free time (“disciplined freedom”), developed in the light of questionnaires and in-depth interviews with middle-class, middle-aged participants in suburban Israel.
Explores uniquely contemporary time-use practices impacted by commercialization, media use, and sociability Focuses on Israel, with its well-documented combination of Western values of individualism, capitalism, and a traditional heritage of more collectivist, communal orientations Sheds light on our understanding of how culture is used to direct actions and shape conceptions related to free time and the self
Autor*in
Michelle Shir-Wise
Themen in »Time, Freedom and the Self«
time-management freedom free time the self middle-class middle-age Israel commercialism media consumption productivity authenticity choice
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“The anthropology and sociology of time is a fast-growing subfield in its own right, asking fascinating questions about the meaning and use of time by different groups and cultures. Following in the tradition of qualitative sociology, Time, Freedom and the Self inquires about the notions of ‘freedom’ and ‘leisure’ as they are practiced by upper-middle class suburbanites. It is an important and original study showing that free time is far from free or empty. After reading this book, you will no longer think that free time is the result of the whims and creativity of actors; you will rather view it as a social time full of—and acted upon by—powerful sources.” (Eva Illouz, Directrice d’études, EHESS PARIS, France, and Professor of Sociology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel)
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