Activities as Autonomy and Competence: The Meaning and Experience of Leisure for Well-Being

Abstract

In this chapter we explore the dominant adultist discourse on children’s structured and unstructured activities, as centred on preparing children for becoming adults and furthering the social order. We contrast the adultist discourse with the importance children place in their narrative on leisure activities as conducive to experiences of happiness and well-being In particular we discuss how children prioritise the use of leisure in their lives over formal education and link it with virtues and skills that are socially valued, especially those required for success in the labour market. For children, leisure is associated with well-being where it is an arena for autonomous action and provides opportunities for developing competence and being recognised for this competen