Conceptualising Cultural EnvironmentsLecture Three: Theorising Cultural Consumption

Understanding Cultural ConsumptionWe consume cultural products and services for a

variety of different reasons

Our cultural consumption helps us to create a sense of identity both for ourselves and other people

Essentially, we can understand who we are and who are people are by examining cultural consumption

As such, cultural consumption is concerned with the production and circulation of symbolic meaning

Understanding Cultural Consumption In order to interpret cultural consumption we

first need to understand what we actually mean by the term consumption

Consumption refers to “the selection, purchase, use, maintenance, repair and disposal of any product or service” (Campbell, 1995:102)

Consumerism is “concerned with the hidden properties of consumption, and in particular, the ideological dimensions of consumer society” (Miles, 2001:60)

Defining ‘Leisure’ TimeAs we have discussed previously cultural

consumption is generally something that we do in our leisure time but we need to think about what we actually mean by this

We tend to think of leisure time as our free time but there are many things which may influence and impact upon this

Bull, Hoose and Weed (2003) suggest that there are four main ways in which we can examine and understand what we mean by leisure time

Time Based Approaches It is often suggested that leisure time is time

left over after work (demarcation of work and leisure)

But is it really as simple as this?

This definition fails to take into account time for necessary activities such as sleeping, eating, washing, etc

As such, sociologists prefer to define leisure time as the time that remains once all obligations have been fulfilled and the individual can make a choice about how they spend their time

Critiquing Time Based Approaches Based upon industrial understanding of the

work/leisure relationship

Fails to take into account those not in full time employment Unemployed Retired Stay at home mums/dads

Assumes that the relationship between work and leisure is black and white Overtime ‘Social activities’

What about when leisure becomes an obligation?

Activity Based Approaches Linked to the perception of leisure as time but the

emphasis lies with the nature of the activity pursued

Here, we see leisure as an activity that is not required as a daily necessity but is pursued out of choice and lies outwith work, family or social duties

But, focusing on ‘activities’ may limit our understanding of how and why people in engage in leisure

It fails to take into account pastimes which may not be deemed as ‘activities’

Can be biased towards active and institutionalised leisure

What about deviant forms of leisure?

Attitude Based Approaches In this instance we view leisure as a state of

mind or being

Usually informed by the motive of the individual and what they define as their leisure

Everyone will experience leisure differently

This is particularly important to take into account in the events industry

A persons definition of leisure may change – one day it might be a chore, the next a great leisure experience

Quality Based ApproachesWhether or not somebody views an activity as

leisure will depend upon the quality of the experience

Leisure is seen to be earned as a reward from work

But for some it may just be a time filler

Leisure may be used as an escape from work

May help fulfill needs that are not met via work

Leisure as free time??

Freedom v Control Are we free to do what we like in our leisure time?

There are various things that restrict us: Money Access Knowledge/skill Legality

Society also places restrictions on us in terms of what is viewed to be acceptable and what is not viewed as acceptable Norms of behaviour As consumers we may be influenced my marketing,

branding and subliminal messages More of this in the coming weeks!