Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
5
The Inclusion of Fathers,
Children and the Whole Family
Group in Tourism Research on
Families
Heike Schänzel
Introduction
This chapter addresses the absence of fatherhood, childhood and collective
perspectives in family tourism through the application of the whole-family
methodology - a qualitative methodology used in family research that
is inclusive of group and individual perspectives of all family members
(Schänzel, 2010). Methodological approaches to family tourism research are
underdeveloped, which has led to a lack of research into fathers, children
and the whole family group. Research on family holiday experiences is
largely informed by feminist gender representations, adult perspectives and
individualisation, which do not account for the sociality and multivocality
present in family groups.
A more holistic and critical approach to tourism research is required,
which led to the adoption of whole-family research for this study into
domestic summer holiday experiences in New Zealand, based on 10 families
(10 fathers, 10 mothers and 20 children). This chapter outlines the method-
ology of interviewing all family members individually and as a group over
three time periods. It goes on to outline the findings on generational dif-
ferences (children), gender differences (fathers) and group dynamics. The
grounded-theory process taken here led to the theoretical modelling of family
time (time spent with the family) and own time (time spent away from the
family) around these different perspectives. An analytical framework for
whole-family experiential dimensions that transcends the complexity and
multidimensionality of this study is presented and then illustrated through
examples from the findings. The potential is highlighted of including the
perspectives of fathers, children and group dynamics within understandings
of family holiday experiences and contemporary family life.
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