The Power of Place in Play – A Bourdieusian Analysis of Auckland Children`s Seasonal Play Practices: Social and Cultural Geography

"There's nothing really fun about the park in winter!" In this book, Christina Ergler explores why "play" resonates differently across urban localities and seasons. She draws on Bourdieu's theory of practice and Gibson's affordance theory to show that determinants of seasonal outdoor play transcend modifiable barriers such as traffic and unsuitable play spaces, as well as the inevitable issue of inclement weather. In contrast, seasonal play determinants are grounded in locally constituted beliefs about what is seasonally "appropriate" children's activity. To foster a healthier and more sustainable life for children, outdoor play needs to become convenient all year round in all locations.