Structure and Agency in understanding work and leisure - Essay Example

? Sociology Essay Part I Structure and Agency in understanding work and leisure As an introduction to the social subjects of work and leisure, it is of utmost importance to recognize the perpetual debates that have been on the rise in the recent decades. The most captivating of them all, has been the debate on the impacts of agency or structure of work or leisure in offering a shape to human behavior (Adams, 2006). Agency refers to the autonomy enjoyed by individuals in decision making, hence perform every action out of their own will. On the other hand, structure refers to a system of repeated patterns and arrangements which often influences an individual’s choice (Adams, 2006). Consequently, structure plays a major role in limiting the number of choices as well as the opportunities available to an individual. This debate on the role of structure and agency in the context of work or leisure would be likened to the debate on, “Nature and nurture.” The debates attempts to question what forms the basis of an individual’s identity. On one hand, the debate suggests that it is the individual’s nature (physiology), while on the other hand, the debate proposes socialization (nurture), as the basic ingredient for making an individual’s identity (Hodkinson, Gert & David, 2008). In contrast therefore, the debate on the structure against agency, may be interpreted as one expressing the role of socialization and autonomy in the process of determining if an individual is to make basic decisions autonomously or succumb to the influence of social structure (Loader, 1998). Part one of this paper therefore, attempts to compare and contrast the concepts of structure and agency through the use of examples that demonstrates their role in understanding work or leisure (Adams, 2006). The concepts of agency in sociology have been employed to answer a plethora of questions that aim at seeking clarity on the components of the social world (Hodkinson, Gert & David, 2008). Various sociological scholars have made successfully convincing assertions that structure and agency influence a societal hierarchy and other components of existence of individual lives. Furthermore, social theorists have also made conclusive statements through extensive social research activities, that not only the social structure that influences human behavior, but also the agency (Adams, 2006). Applying the concepts of structure and agency in understanding of work or leisure as vital components of societal existence, each concept presents a different idea of work or leisure in the society (Hodkinson, Gert & David, 2008). To begin with the agency, which offers a full comprehension of its provisions as one that grants an individual the free will to make decisions, a wider spectrum of knowledge of both work and leisure comes over (Adams, 2006). Since the ideas of both work and leisure are based on an individual’s choice, agency offers the freedom of choice that is requisite for an enjoyable session during such activities (Hodkinson, Gert & David, 2008). Many people who take part in various work and leisure activities require absolute freedom to effectively make choices of what to do in order to produce the best results. In a nutshell, the meaning of leisure or work, based on the concept of agency, would be understood as an activity that which is purely influenced by an individual’s perception and attitudes (Loader, 1998). However, the perceptions and attitudes are often subject to influence from the general environmental and cultural factors (Adams, 2006). Based on such individual perceptions and attitudes influenced majorly by environmental and cultural factors, work and leisure show multiplicity of meaning (Mowl & John, 1995). Leisure, for instance, would be understood as a collection of activities which are aimed at providing a relaxing environment for the mind (Loader, 1998). People often require such relaxing environments to provide breaks after vigorous activities over a given period of time. In such cases, the breaks are most preferable at the end of sessions such as a day, week or even a month (Hodkinson, Gert & David, 2008). The activities carried out during occasions considered at leisure, show great variations depending on one’s vested interests as well as environmental influences. While a team of people may prefer watching movies and other television programs, base jumping as well as attending opera, others may be interested in producing and playing music (Loader, 1998). Similarly, some people may also prefer taking moments of adventures in museums, zoos and game reserves. In addition, one may also venture in freelance writing or reading articles in the library. However, it is worth noting that a number of sociological theorists are still engaged in tireless efforts to classify and name these activities (Adams, 2006). While a group of theorists proposes the popular name of ‘leisure,’ others add that the entire range of such activities may be referred to as recreation (Mowl & John, 1995). Additional names proposed by other scholars include ‘available’ or ‘free time,’ ‘hedonism,’ ‘creativity’ as well controversial term such as ‘selfishness.’ Agency plays a pivotal role in the general process of simplifying and modifying theorists’ attempts to devise a definition for the entire culture of work and leisure (Hodkinson, Gert & David, 2008). Others have an opinion that leisure entails a network bearing reliable connections between all the agencies, which offer facilities such as game parks and reserves, sport fields, community resource centers as well as playgrounds (Hodkinson, Gert & David, 2008). According to the individuals who perceive leisure as an outlet of recreation facilities, leisure may be an opportunity for various families to gain togetherness that would be considered broken owing to a fixed work schedule (Loader, 1998). On the other hand, the structure also bears a considerable effect on shaping the general perception of work and leisure (Mowl & John, 1995). Structure advocates for a system that entails decision making based on repeated events (Hodkinson, Gert & David, 2008). People often succumb to the influence of the past experiences to classify and understand contemporary issues, hence the concepts of leisure and work is based on the environmental and cultural factors (Mowl & John, 1995). Based on structure, considerable research about the perception of work-leisure relationships have been launched and accomplished (Adams, 2006). Through these research activities conducted over wide areas, three primary models in the literature emerged (Hodkinson, Gert & David, 2008). These include the segmentation, compensation and Spillover models. The compensation model, suggests a comprehensive understanding of leisure as an opportunity through which workers compensate for the time utilized in vigorous activities at work (Loader, 1998). According to the Spillover model, an individual’s nature of work extended effects, often extended into the domain of non work activities (Adams, 2006). In contrast to the Spillover and compensation models, the segmentation model attempts to cut any links between an individual’s work experience and the non work experiences (Hodkinson, Gert & David, 2008). The major focus of the three models is primarily on work-non-work linkages as well as leisure-work linkages. Even though many scholars have disregarded the validity of any particular model, a few scholars in the recent studies, have advocated for the Spillover model as the most relevant of the three (Adams, 2006). The nature and the general perceptions of the nature of work based on the concepts of structure, have been enhanced through sociological research and adventures into work and the non work experiences (Mowl & John, 1995). Various relationship patterns often bear a considerable influence on the manner in which individuals perceive their work and leisure activities. Other related studies have also addressed major fears that the increasing popularity of leisure activities, has posed an indirect proportional relationship to the work sector (Adams, 2006). Many individuals construct their overall perceptions of work or leisure on the experiences of the past. Major research activities done by sociological scholars have greater influence since they shape the future trends based on the past experiences (Hodkinson, Gert & David, 2008). The concept of leisure or work is purely based on the attitudes of individuals. Part II Table 1: Showing the number of workers' injuries and dangerous incidences in various companies Employees Self employed Workers Members of the public Total fatalities Agriculture Extractive 13 21 34 8 42 Gas & electricity supply 3 0 3 0 3 Manufacturing 25 2 27 21 29 Water supply Sewerage 10 0 10 1 11 Waste and recycling 32 18 50 2 52 Construction 37 10 47 305 352 Services 120 51 171 318 489 According to the data provided in the table above, the two sectors having the highest number of fatalities in the workplace are the construction industries and the service industries. For instance, the service industry leads with a total of 489 fatal cases recorded. The order is followed by the coonstruction industry having a total of 352 fatal cases. The services industries appear to have recorded the highest level of insecurity of for the workers. The situation may be attributed to the lack of protective attire for the workers during operations. Such protective attire required during work include helmets, aprons as well as nose masks. Lack of such protective attire during work expose the workers to a wide spectrum of conditions that are detrimental to human health. Slow consumption of dangerous substances such as dust particles and other chemicals may be fatal. On the other hand, some of the industries have also recorded an achievement on safety for their workers. This is reflected in the data presented in the table. The Gas and Electricity Supply has the lowest number of fatal incidences (3). This is followed by the Water Supply industry which has a total of 11 fatal incidences. As a wrap up therefore, the table may be evaluated to reveal exaggerated data. The number of members of the public who were reported to have experienced harm from Gas and Electricity industry is 0. However, this data may not be accurate since there may be a number electricity related injuries and deaths, which may not have documented. The failure to capture all and accurate data would be attributed to ignorance. References Adams, MG 2006, "Hybridizing habitus and reflexivity: towards an understanding of contemporary identity?." Sociology 40, no. 3: 511-528. Hodkinson, PL, Gert BY, & David, JT 2008, "Understanding learning culturally: Overcoming the dualism between social and individual views of learning." Vocations and Learning 1, no. 1: 27-47. Loader, BH 1998, Cyberspace divide: Equality, agency and policy in the information society. Routledge. Mowl, GT, & John TJ 1995, "Women, gender, leisure and place: towards a more ‘humanistic’geography of women's leisure." Leisure Studies 14, no. 2 (1995): 102-116. Read More