Feminisms in Leisure Studies: Advancing a Fourth Wave

In this review of Feminisms in Leisure Studies: Advancing a Fourth Wave, the book is recommended for graduate students, leisure scholars and researchers seeking a rigorous theoretical update on feminism within leisure studies. The single biggest reason to read it is that it brings together international feminist scholarship to chart a clear pathway from earlier work toward a proposed fourth wave, using concrete research examples to connect theory with method. The author team moves beyond a focus solely on women to interrogate broader feminist questions that matter to contemporary leisure research.

Key Features

• Comprehensive theoretical review: The book reviews key feminist theories and places them in conversation with leisure studies to clarify conceptual foundations for future research.
• Fourth wave framing: It offers an overview of a fourth wave of feminism and explains its relevance for contemporary leisure scholarship.
• International authorship: Chapters are written by leading international feminist scholars, providing diverse empirical perspectives and comparative reach.
• Methodological unpacking: Each chapter uses examples from the authors research to unpack methodological and substantive issues important to leisure studies.
• Broadening the focus: The book moves beyond study of women alone to address feminism as a set of relational and intersectional concerns relevant across leisure topics.

Who It's For

The book is aimed primarily at advanced undergraduate and graduate students, academic researchers and established scholars in leisure studies who want a concentrated, theory-driven synthesis of feminist approaches and a roadmap for incorporating a fourth wave perspective into their work. It is especially useful for those designing qualitative or mixed-methods projects that engage gender, power and intersectionality.

Readers expecting an introductory textbook, light overviews or practical how-to guides for community programming should look elsewhere; the book is dense with theoretical discussion and assumes familiarity with feminist and leisure scholarship.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Brings together leading international voices to give a coherent account of feminist contributions to leisure studies.
• Connects theory to concrete research examples, which helps translate abstract ideas into methodological practice.
• Expands the field by reframing feminism beyond studies of women, encouraging intersectional inquiry.

Cons

• The book is theoretical and dense, so it may be challenging for readers seeking a concise, introductory overview.

Specifications

Title	Feminisms in Leisure Studies: Advancing a Fourth Wave
Series	Routledge Critical Leisure Studies
Author / Editor	Diana Parry (lead)
Scope	Theoretical review and methodological examples from international scholars
Focus	Feminist theories and a proposed fourth wave in leisure studies

Our Verdict

Feminisms in Leisure Studies is a strong, theory-rich volume that will repay careful reading by scholars and postgraduate students committed to advancing gender-aware research in leisure studies. Its synthesis of feminist theory and methodological reflection makes it good value for those who need a substantive, research-oriented guide to a fourth wave perspective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for beginners?
The book assumes prior familiarity with feminist and leisure scholarship, so beginners may find it challenging without supplemental introductory texts.

Does it include empirical examples?
Yes; each chapter uses examples from the authors research to illustrate methodological and substantive points.

Who contributed to the volume?
The chapters are written by a team of leading international feminist scholars, with Diana Parry as the principal editor or lead author noted in the source.