Sailing and Social Class

This book explores the sociology of sailing and yachting. Drawing on original research, and employing a theoretical framework based on the work of Pierre Bourdieu, the book argues that sailing is, still, an upper-middle-class activity that has much to tell us about the wider sociology of leisure and sport.

List of contents

Prologue: The Riddle
Introduction
1 Sailing with Michel Foucault and Pierre Bourdieu
2 Sailing Tours: On the Irish Coast
3 Sailing and Social Class
4 Social Class and Classification Struggles
5 Symbolic Violence in Sailing
6 Empire and the Sailing Imaginary
7 The Politics of Sailing
Conclusion: Is Tahiti on your Bucket List?

About the author

Alan O'Connor is Professor of Media Studies at Trent University, Canada. His research on news media, community radio and youth subcultures is influenced by the sociology of Pierre Bourdieu.

Product details

• Authors: Alan (Trent University O''connor, O'Connor Alan
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 29.08.2025
• EAN: 9781032703589
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3270358-9
• No. of pages: 154
• Series: Routledge Critical Leisure Studies
• Subjects: Guides > Sport > Water sport, sailing; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Sociological theories; SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Research, Sailing, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Statistics, Sociology: sport & leisure, Sociology: sport and leisure, Social research & statistics, Social classes, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Social Classes & Economic Disparity, Social research and statistics, SPORTS & RECREATION / Cultural & Social Aspects, Sailing / yachting, SPORTS & RECREATION / Water Sports / Sailing