Editorial

Abstract

In this issue, we have five research papers covering topic areas related to leisure participation and experiences of diverse populations. The issue also includes a report from World Leisure Organization Secretariat and a new call for papers for an upcoming special issue. The issue starts with a paper by Dawn De Vries and Andrew Feenstra exploring the potential role of recreational therapy in working with individuals who experience homelessness. Adopting a qualitative approach, the researchers interviewed community homeless services and shelters and reviewed literature on recreation and leisure interventions with these individuals. They identified a range of needs that people who are homeless have and pointed out the possible benefits of recreational therapy interventions for meeting these needs. In the second research paper, Mona Mirehie, Heather. Gibson, Sungjin. Kang and Heather. Bell report on their study examining parents’ values related to their children’s participation in organized sports. Parents were found to associate similar values including fun, health, self-discipline and competition to their children participation. At the same time, there were differences related to age, social class, type of sport and race. The results highlight the significant role that family plays in children’s sport participation and the effect of the latter on family activities. James Gould, Richard Donnelly and Brian Innacchione share with us their study on cannabis consumption preference, leisure interests and leisure motivations of consumers of recreational cannabis among young adults. Findings of their study indicated consumers’ preference for social activity. As for leisure interests, there were differences between men and women in product choices and effect strengths. Recommendations were made to further explore the leisure lifestyles of cannabis consumers, especially in view of the process of normalizing cannabis consumption in the U.S.A. Makhaya J. Malema, Theron J. Weilbach and Francois G. Watson take us to South Africa with their investigation of leisure needs and experiences of deaf adults. Interviews held with young deaf adults shed light on the type of activities they participated in and their attached experiences, which comprised both positive and negative feelings. Based on the results of their study, the authors recommended the provision of all-inclusive leisure activities and services that could specifically meet the needs of deaf people. They further suggested the use of phenomenological approach for a more in-depth understanding of leisure experience of deaf people. In the fifth research paper, Troy G. Glover examines the possibilities and implications of animating public space. In his analysis, the author asserts that animating public space “can empower groups and serve as an emancipatory practice that allows urban inhabitants to assert their right to the city” (p. 147). By examining this topic and raising significant questions for further inquiry, the author calls for more attention to this area in leisure studies to better understand its potential and risks. Apart from the research papers, we also have a piece under the section News and Notices from World Leisure Secretariat. It describes the 2018 Field School that was conducted in August 2018 in Perus, São Paulo, Brazil. This activity is one of the initiatives of the World