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Nov. 15, 2009
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

UNLV prof learns how to have fun

Links between religion and leisure explain a lot

By RICHARD LAKE
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Jennifer Livengood talks about her studies on fun for UNLV's department of Recreation and Sports Management.
Photo by John Gurzinski.

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    • A UNLV prof who studies fun for a living: Jennifer Livengood.

    That raises a couple of questions, doesn't it? Like, Livengood? Studies fun? That must be cool.

    And wait, studies fun for a living? As in, gets paid for it? How do I get that job?

    That was her reaction, too, when a professor introduced her to the subject some years back in graduate school.

    "Seriously? People research what other people do for fun?" Livengood recalled as her reaction. "That. Is. Awesome."

    Livengood -- that's her married name, which is lucky, because Jennifer Perry doesn't have quite the same ring to it -- came to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas 21/2 years ago.

    She is an assistant professor in the department of Recreation and Sports Management, which is part of the hotel college.

    Specifically, she researches the connections between religion and leisure, which is to say she tries to figure out how religious practices and beliefs influence how -- and how much -- people have fun.

    This is important in the leisure industry, which can be quite competitive. It tends to carry extra weight here, a town whose very purpose is fun in a time when having fun is a luxury fewer people can afford.

    "The economy being in the trash can right now, it's always good to reach out to a diverse population because they bring in money," she said. "It's good for the bottom line to be aware of diversity."

    Livengood grew up in a small central Illinois town called Tolono, where the most exciting thing she can remember happening is when the first stop light was installed (she thinks it's still the only one there).

    She remembered when she went off to college, a community college in a bigger town 10 miles up the road. She was overjoyed because, there, finally, was diversity.

    She ended up with a degree in psychology, which led to graduate school, where she ended up with a degree in social work.

    She has always loved nosing around in other people's business, she explained, and these fields suited her well.

    But she met this professor, who introduced her to leisure studies, which is when she had the "awesome" reaction. Other people's business and fun -- at the same time.

    She got her Ph.D, and she settled into her niche, the crossroads between religion and fun.

    She teaches classes -- including leisure programs and introduction to leisure services -- and studies things such as how American Muslims were treated after the events of Sept. 11, 2001; how religious organizations provide leisure activities for their members; and how a person's spiritual beliefs influence their leisure choices.

    She has written or co-written academic papers with titles like "The effects of discrimination and constraints negotiation on leisure behavior of American Muslims in post September 11 America."

    So it isn't all fun.

    Her published work has found that New Paradigm Christians -- these are churches that embrace trendy, hip happenings such as guitar music with the choir -- tend to see leisure activities through the lens their faith provides. In other words, their faith influences what they see as fun. They define knitting, the outdoors, music and even being alone as spiritual activities.

    In order to attract people with these beliefs, Livengood said event planners would be smart to offer options for people who want to engage in spiritual activities. Outdoor events, for example, or yoga.

    Other studies she has participated in found that Muslims felt hindered in their leisure activities after the terrorist attacks because they believed they were being discriminated against, often in subtle ways such as they way people looked at them. They also are generally a conservative group, though that does not mean there is no place for them or others from conservative groups in Las Vegas.

    Livengood noted that Las Vegas used to be marketed as family friendly. And while that's not generally the advertising message being put out there anymore, it can still be true.

    There are hotels in town with no gambling, and some shows that are appropriate for conservative families. It wouldn't be a bad idea to market these events to conservative religious groups, she said.

    "You can really create your own experience here if you live by your own values," Livengood said. "It's all about choosing things that are most appropriate for you."

    She said studying these things and publishing the findings can have practical applications. Event coordinators and resort marketers should be aware of religious holidays, for example, religious dos and don'ts, religious preferences.

    Knowing this can not only help to avoid offending people; it can also help in recruiting niche groups to an event or property.

    Where they can spend their money. And have fun.

    Contact reporter Richard Lake at rlake@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0307.

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    NV_System_of_Higher_Waste wrote on November 16, 2009 04:41 PM: Why do charlatans always want to be addressed as "Doctor"? I see that Livengood is a big supporter of LGBT. That's what passes for scholarship on college campuses nowadays. Talk about juvenile!


    NV_System_of_Higher_Waste wrote on November 16, 2009 11:00 AM: Why do these charlatans always want to be called "Doctor"? How many patients has she treated? I've read the titles of some of Livengood's papers. Not serious scholarship.

    Livengood's name also appears as an "ally" on a UNLV Celebrates National Coming Out Day brochure, (LGBT related). Very serious scholarship. Votes for Democrats.


    Matt Van Note wrote on November 16, 2009 09:50 AM: Warning to my more sensible friends not from Nevada... This newly blue state's largest and most popular paper has an extremely high level of conservative nonsense written in it on a daily basis. This may result in reactions of frustration and anger over harmless articles aimed at shedding light on new and interesting ways of looking at our world and what it all means. Keep up the good work, Jennifer!


    A Supporter wrote on November 15, 2009 09:11 PM: Knowing Dr. Livengood personally, I know the amount of work that went into her undergrad, graduate, and PhD degrees. To degrade her work is juvenile. She offers an insight into the very heart of Las Vegas - how to reach visitors, events catered to those visitors, and how to accommodate those visitors to get them to spend money. She might be helping you keep your job!


    J Mattox wrote on November 15, 2009 08:40 PM: Some great insights and good points. Vegas was a top destination for family fun in my childhood (ah, the memories). There is still a lot for families now, they just aren't the target of marketing.
    Looks like UNLV landed the perfect professor for the local industry (leisure), and the current national issues (cultural/religious conflict).


    In fact, Christianity preaches loving thy neighbor. wrote on November 15, 2009 05:10 PM: Obviously, this quote is taken completely out of context, because the writer is ignorant of Christanity. Christians do not roll over and turn the other cheek when faced with a hideous Antichrist religion called Islam. Islam is a cancer on the world, hell bent on executing all who will not conform to its warped paedophile psychopatic leader called Muhamot. Christianity does preach love for humanity, but not the kinds of maniacal criminals running around the world with their hair on fire preaching hate and discontent. Is this the best UNLY has to offer? I agree, trade Perry to Cornell and let's get a real PhD physicist in return. Besides where did Perry get this so-called "PhD"? Mail order? Who knows.


    I read the article... it's rubbish wrote on November 15, 2009 05:01 PM: Oh yeah, I read the article. It is pure rubbish for this nonsense to be "taught" in a university. As the prior opinionator said, it is something one would expect in a high school. The school is definitely anti-Christian in its outlook. Who gives a damn about these muslim terrorists living among us. We need to do as Roosevelt did, round up the suckers and put them in detention centers until we can determine why they are here and for what purpose. After 9-11 I'd never trust a muslim. Their religion of hate offends me to the core. The quest for world power and dominance is an abomination. Wake up lady, and smell the coffee.


    NV_System_of_Higher_Waste wrote on November 15, 2009 04:38 PM: Shutter this ridiculous college/department. Whenever I read about "academics" like Livengood, I'm reminded of that Dan Akroyd character in Ghostbusters. You've never been out of college! You don't know what it's like out there! I've *worked* in the private sector. They expect *results*.

    If Livengood is so good, she should work for McDonald's University. Otherwise, UNLV should trade her to Cornell for a Physicist. We'll even throw in a $300K sweetener -- money we can get by canning Smatresk.


    Cari Rich wrote on November 15, 2009 03:26 PM: I wonder how many of the commenters bothered to actually read the article.

    Showing an interest in how Muslims were treated after 911 isn't anti-Christian. In fact, Christianity preaches loving thy neighbor.

    Also, despite the claims that Livengood's research is "frivolous" she provides some solid advice for how her work can be used to help market Las Vegas.

    The personal attacks are just atrocious. "Kick her off the campus" Really? Obviously UNLV sees merit in this kind of work, even if nameless, faceless online commenters are too dense to see it.


    Higher Ed wrote on November 15, 2009 03:20 PM: Hospitality is our main economic engine. This state without higher education cannot grow. Maybe that is what some Nevadans want - a stagnant state without a future. A hotel college is essential in this state and so is the field of recreation.


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