This textbook explores the foundation, theories, history, scope, and evolution of leisure, recreation, sports, tourism, and parks in American culture, viewing leisure participation from the perspectives of motivation, age, race, gender, and ethnicity, as well as societal and personal benefits. It considers the roles of leisure in everyday life, the impacts on culture, its social functions, and how it affects individual choice, societal mores, social engagements, the economy, and individual and community quality of life, as well as leisure as a profession, types of leisure-service organizations, and special areas, such as services for people with disabilities and armed forces recreation. This edition has a new full-color design with perforated worksheets; a rewritten chapter on future perspectives; new and updated case studies related to technology, play, changing family structures, and other topics; summaries of current research studies; and critical thinking questions. Online access is included. Annotation ©2014 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)