Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
parental perspectives (see Crompton, 1979; Lehto
et al.
, 2009). Including
the voices of all family members then could reveal internal family dynamics
or social tensions (see Small, 2005a) and highlight gender and generational
differences on holiday.
Other examples of conflicts of interests that could arise were demon-
strated by this exchange between the Takahe mother and her 12-year-old
son at the final family interview:
Mother: 'I didn't really enjoy walking on Westshore beach which is very
notoriously dangerous and I told the kids and so <son> had to go and
have a try and walk right by the waves.'
Son: 'I wasn't anywhere near the waves. I was the whole room away
from the waves. You were having a panic attack.'
What emerged was that safety concerns proved particularly taxing for the
mothers, in that children wanted to pursue their interests but mothers were
more anxious about their well-being. This resulted in a parent-child conflict
over safety from risk and the freedom to take and explore risks (Carr, 2011).
Generational differences in perceptions of danger were then played out in
group dynamics and could highlight conflicts of interest.
The notion of requiring
own time
on holiday emerged almost exclusively
in the individual interviews with all family members but provided valuable
insights into group dynamics. Holidays are exemplified as times of prolonged
togetherness but these can be found challenging compared with everyday
life:
Like I said before, you get to spend 24/7 with family and I don't
normally. I am out the door to work and on the weekends we are off
doing different activities. And I am a person who needs a bit of solitude.
I don't actually enjoy living in somebody's pocket all the time. I am
quite happy to go for a wander or go for a run in the morning or just a
bit of time on my own. I think we are all like that but me in particular. I
don't need someone around all the time. (Pukeko father, final individual
interview)
Children also recognised their need for individual pursuits in their own
time when asked about ideal family holidays:
Having the family all together but still doing some things separate and
having a big rest. Just like having fun ourselves. (Kereru boy, 10, pre-
holiday individual interview)
This meant that for harmonious group dynamics a state of balance or
homeostasis was needed between the more obligatory aspects of family
