Variations in the Desire to Begin a Leisure Activity: Evidence of Antecedent Constraints?

This paper examines three assumptions in previous leisure constraints research: (1) that only two meaningful groups of non-participants exist (those who do not wish to participate, and those who do wish to participate, but for whom a constraint or combination of constaints precludes participation); (2) that lack of interest is the only factor which explains the lack of desire among the former group; and (3) that the only role played by constraints on leisure is negatively to affect participation, by intervening between preferences and participation. Using data from a public questionnaire study conducted in Alberta, Canada, the focus of the paper is on a group of non-participants who apparently did not wish to begin participating in a new activity. Based on innovative concepts recently proposed by Crawford and Godbey (1987) and by Henderson, Stalnaker & Taylor (1988), the findings are interpreted as evidence of “antecedent” barriers to participation, i.e., constraints which negatively affect leisure preferences rather than participation. The results suggest the need to broaden the range of concepts and variables investigated in constraints research, and imply that recreation and leisure practitioners must re-evaluate the notion of “disadvantaged” with regard to access to leisure services.