Leisure inequalities, class divisions and social exclusion in present-day Britain

This article addresses two questions. Does the leisure evidence indicate the existence of excluded groups in present-day Britain? Do any particular uses of leisure lead to the acquisition of socio-cultural assets that are convertible into, or able to expand and transform into economic assets reflected in labour market achievements? The overall pattern of leisure participation in Britain is described: the co-existence of activities in which virtually everyone is involved to some extent and in some way alongside a multitude of minority interests. The sizes of different broad types of leisure activity are then compared, and social class and age are identified as particularly useful predictors of leisure behaviour. The several ways in which leisure tastes and skills may become economic assets are then identified. The article concludes that although there may well be excluded groups in present-day Britain, the concept is unhelpful in analysing the leisure evidence, and that, although appropriate leisure can help some individuals to overcome economic disadvantages, mainstreaming invariably fails: the shape of the occupational structure is the stumbling block.