Disadvantaged families and the meaning of the holiday

Abstract

Holiday participation, although widespread, is not universal. This paper summarises a study of the meaning and significance of the holiday for families who are rarely able to go on holiday because of personal economic and social circumstances: a subgroup of Haukeland's category C non-travellers. Holidays are likely to have particular significance for them. Studies of women's holiday experiences are examined in order to contribute to the context of this study. Informants were interviewed in their own homes and a number of meanings emerged including the significance of 'change' and establishing relationships. The study confirms the diversity of holiday experiences and meanings and the particular significance for this study group in conferring the 'excitement and spectacle' that are particularly limited in their every-day lives. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.