ABSTRACT
Finch’s concept of family display involves a “process by which individuals, and groups of individuals, convey to each other and to relevant others that certain of their actions do constitute ‘doing family things’ and thereby confirm that these relationships are ‘family’ relationships” (p. 67). Community events that target or are designed to include families offer leisure opportunities for family members to display family practices both to each other (i.e., those within the family) and to external audiences (i.e., those in attendance at the event). This chapter shares findings from a phenomenological study that explored individual displays of family leisure on social networking sites (SNS). Consuming community events was a consistent family leisure practice that was displayed by all 17 study participants (12 women, 3 men, 1 gender fluid; 10 normative families and 7 non-normative; age ranging from 28 to 51). Visually representing family through images at local community events that targeted family offered an opportunity to define family for ‘relevant others’ and/or to demonstrate the evolution or fluidity of family across time. Images from community events that were shared on SNS were a way to demonstrate belonging and/or feel a sense of belonging. Finally, community events offered a backdrop for further characterising one’s family identity through specific rituals or labelling (e.g., #outdoorfamily). This characterisation was perceived to highlight the special qualities of the family unit and to strengthen their bond as a family.
