The Carolina Shaggers

Dance as Serious Leisure

Bibliographic Data

ID10137630
AuthorsCarroll A Brown (Western Carolina University, corresponding author)
Year2007
Volume39
Issue4
Pages623-647
Publication date2007-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Leisure Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-2216 • E-ISSN: 2159-6417
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00222216.2007.11950125
OpenAlexW83038275
LanguageEN
Citations received61
References cited24

The concept of serious leisure (Stebbins, 1992) was used to investigate the social world of shag dancing to determine the reasons for long-term involvement and commitment to the dance. Data were collected over a three-year period through in-depth interviews at regional shag festivals. A method of ethnographic analysis was used to analyze the data (Spradley, 1979). Two types of dancers, casual and serious, were identified and differentiated into five subtypes. Results confirm Stebbins (1992) six qualities of serious leisure. Friendship was cited as the most important reason for long-term involvement and commitment to the dance. Findings indicate the shag world is a combination of serious leisure and casual leisure. Participants choose their level of involvement based on changing lifestyle needs

Art · Casual · Dance · Ethnography · Friendship · Political science · Recreation · Sociology · Visual arts · Anthropology · Diversity and Impact of Dance · Psychology · Recreation, Leisure, Wilderness Management · Social Psychology · Sport and Mega-Event Impacts