Young Adults and Leisure

THE BEGINNING OF LIFE after high school: that's young adulthood! This group might be described as one which spans the ages from about 19 to 34. In other words, many would say individuals beyond high school age - and who are not yet 35 - are considered to be "young adults." Logically, this group may be subdivided into other brackets or lifestyle patterns. These include - among others - young single adults (both in and out of college), young married adults (both in and out of college), and young adults who are raising families.

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Generally speaking, young adulthood offers various kinds of opportunities including furthering education, working at a job, determining housing arrangements, getting married, and starting a family. There are, indeed, numerous possible combinations and other alternatives. For many young adults, it simply becomes "an age of babies, bottles, and bills." Often, no matter what life-path choices have been made, young adults discover that they can easily burn the candle at both ends.

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When assignments pile up, when requirements become a burden, when tasks are stressful, or when responsibilities are very demanding; all of these are strong indications of the need for a respite. Harried lifestyles - even for young adults - need reprieves. Carving out regular exemptions from stressful conditions or over-booked schedules are a must. The prescription is leisure - even if it can only be found in small doses! When individuals are able to replace some of their obligations with free time activities of their own choosing, it makes a world of difference.

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Leisure offers young adults the opportunity for beginning and maintaining positive group and one-on-one relationships with other people. According to Geoffrey Godbey, young adulthood is a time when men and women can gain fuller identification with social institutions as well as a further commitment to personal goals.(1) A wide range of leisure choices helps young adults on the path toward achieving a proper balance of work and play. Further, it provides a much needed outlet for emotional release; and, it gives a feeling of accomplishment in the non-work areas of life.

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This particular age group is not immune to problems. However, thousands upon thousands of young adults have been able to utilize leisure in positive ways. Involvement with sports, fitness clubs, social organizations, travel, concerts, and other forms of activity and entertainment enrich the lives of young adults whether they are in college or in community settings.

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With regard to married young adults, Susan Shaw found that shared leisure experiences are an important part of life. She says, "Home-based activities and family-oriented activities outside the home are the most common forms of leisure activity, and there is some evidence that families are now spending more time together than they did in the past. Moreover, research has consistently shown that family time and family leisure are highly valued."(2)

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Larry Stehr, a pastor to young adults, has found that people in this age group are very busy, but they still want to be "connected." He has noticed that young adults gravitate toward cluster groups, and that they are more comfortable with a feeling of "community." To the typical young adult, "who I am, and who I associate with" are extremely important matters, according to Stehr. He also has made some other observations regarding today's young adults: they are less likely to watch television, but their hours on the computer are increasing; they are more likely to enjoy video games, and to play them online with friends; they are more likely to prefer activities like rock climbing and canoeing rather than playing softball; they are pursuing diversity and changing the world, but many do not seem to have genuine joy; however, they "seek and value leisure."(3)

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Perhaps leisure service agencies, and other organizations, should recognize more fully that a golden opportunity exists to help meet the needs of this large segment of our population. From all indications, young adults would greatly benefit from a plethora of free-time possibilities - and welcome them!

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(1) Geoffrey Godby, Leisure in Your Life: An Exploration. (State College, Pa.: Venture Publishing, 1985): 170.

(2) Susan Shaw, "Family Leisure and Leisure Services." Parks and Recreation (December 1992): 13.

(3) Larry Stehr, personal interview: March 9, 2010.