Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Conclusion
The change in societal perceptions of family time has implications for family
holidays in that they are perceived by parents as opportunities for 'quality
family time' or 'purposive leisure time' away from everyday distractions,
and they form part of the image of the 'happy family'. In fact, holidays are
often the only time the whole family spends together for an extended period
and seemingly offer a balance to family life at home. The instrumental or
purposive aspect of holidays and the emphasis put on family togetherness
and harmony disguise individual needs for personal leisure and free or own
time. There is a disjuncture between societal ideologies and individual
realities and also between children's and parents' understandings of what
constitute quality family time. In fact, holidays can give rise to intra-family
conflicts, in that parents seek relaxation and children seek activities, which
makes the ideal of togetherness hard to achieve (Gram, 2005). Stresses
can also be added when family needs are not met by tourism operators, as
discussed in Chapter 9. While the notion of spending 'quality time' together
is dictated by adult society and endorsed as the Holy Grail for family leisure
and holiday providers (Mintel, 2009), other aspects of time and the desires
of all family members need to be included. This calls for a methodology
inclusive of children's voices and the whole family group, as illustrated in
Chapter 5. A move away from overly idealistic notions of family holidays
is required, towards more realistic understandings that are accepting of
individual needs for own time, free play and social time with peers. The
idealisation of family time is also conceptualised around the white Anglo-
Saxon nuclear family, which needs extension to other family forms. Thus,
a more complete and privatised understanding is required of the different
roles and desires on holiday, from a diversity of family forms. The inclusion
of individual realities and lived experiences would provide a more sustain-
able representation of family holidays (or indeed any family situation).
This chapter, then, provides a theoretical and sociological context for the
ideological changes that influence family tourism and offers deeper insights
into the trends and indings explored in other chapters of this topic.
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