Sociologist Thomas M. Kando of California State University, Sacramento has chronicle the changing definitions of leisure, specifically as it relates to work, in Leisure and Popular Culture in Transition. Recognizing the emerging fields of popular culture and leisure, Dr, Kando uses interdisciplinary methods as well as sociological ones to evaluate leisure's historical meaning in order to understand its modern meaning. First, Dr. Kando seeks the find the point of transition from the protestant work ethic (hard work, thrift, competitiveness) to a "less individualistic and social or even bureaucratic ethic." (Kando, 12)
Over the course of American industrialization and opportunities for work on all levels (from coal-mining to merchandizing), Dr. Kando observes "the emergence of a new value system that continues to place a premium on work, emphasizes conspicuous consumption, but fails to put a high premium on leisure." (Kando, 12-13)
This view takes Thorstein Veblen's notion that conspicuous consumption and leisure are not related at all. Why then, and for whom, does conspicuous consumption take place? Or has the need for conspicuous assumption come to signify something other than the Leisure Class?
Appropriately, Dr. Kando moves to discuss various theories of and the history and meaning of the word "leisure." He separates the term into two different meanings: the first is derived from the classical, Aristotelian school where leisure translates into the cultivation of self through spiritual freedom and meditation. The second, more contemporary definition of leisure is defined by recreation (sports, games, play, etc.). According to Dr. Kando, this school "implicitly views leisure as if secondary importance to work. (Kando, 20).
The belief that the present condition of leisure as secondary to work prompts Dr. Kando to call for changes back to the definition of Aristotle.
Dr. Kando is idealistic in his argument, but as he himself has demonstrated with examples of the Protestant work ethic, it may be the United States has always defined leisure as secondary to work. At least, amongst those who worked. The new definition of work Dr, Kando asks for would be more appropriately defined as spirituality. And indeed, spirituality or the pursuit of some kind of spiritual affiliation has been historically the mark of status and leisure, this time as defined by the Leisure Class.