Family Holidays During School Term-Time: Does Education Really Inhibit Family Access to Tourism?

Key Words: School Holidays, Family, Children, Education, Benefits of a Holiday.

Abstract

This paper looks at the controversial issue of taking family holidays during term-time and whether educational constraints can really be considered barriers to tourism. For a number of years now, many families have chosen to take their children out of school for a week or two in order to go on their annual family holiday, but should we be allowing children to miss school for the sake of a holiday?

"Sorry Miss I won't be in School Next Week, I'm going to Tenerife"

Family holidays which had not been agreed with the school beforehand accounted for the third highest reasons given for unauthorised absences during 2008/09 (Griffiths, 2010). Sugden (2010: 17) supports these figures stating that in the UK, "Apart from sickness, the most popular reason for absence, authorised and unauthorised, was for family holidays." In total, six million school days are lost per year as parents take their children out of school to go away outside of the school term when costs are lower (Sugden, 2010). According to Wallop (2011), a recent survey carried out by a parenting website, suggested that 52% of parents asked said they were thinking of taking their children out of school this summer to save money and 15% of parents had already done so. These figures are hardly surprising given that a holiday could be as much as 269% more expensive, and on average a family of four could pay £1,132 more for a holiday during half term, than if they took their children out of school and went two weeks later (Wallop, 2011). According to Griffiths (2010: 13), "The industry consistently increases prices during summer holidays and encourages families to take children out of school so they can travel in the cheaper period." However, Wallop (2011) takes a different view in that, travel companies claim that the reason why holidays are less expensive during term time is a simple case of supply and demand, with fewer people wanting or able to travel at these times they are able to lower the price.

Holiday or No Holiday? That is the Question

For low income families (usually working class or unemployed), taking their children on holiday during term-time is their only option because the extortionate prices charged during the school holidays mean they simply cannot afford it. Smith and Hughes (1999) correspond with this theory, noting that financial means play a major part for low income families and for some, no real choice exists, leaving them with the dilemma of a holiday during term-time or no holiday at all.

This raises several issues including, whether access to tourism should be made fairer for all and why modern society now considers a holiday to be a god given right rather than a privilege. Holidays are now widely regarded as a necessary part of contemporary life (Smith and Hughes, 1999) and a common characteristic of modern society (Urry, 1990). Further to this, Holden (2005:73) states that, "Holidaying is now widely regarded as a normal, mainstream social practice."

It is clear to see that today, there are large proportions of society who are unable to access an annual holiday and are being denied the benefits that such tourism activity can bring. It is suggested that education is a contributing factor in inhibiting such access, as it is often the time constraints placed upon parents by schools that lead to the increased price of the family holiday. As McNeil (2006) reiterates', availability is as big a problem as affordability for families who can only travel in the school holidays. One head teacher claimed that they have every sympathy with parents who find the cost of a holiday during the school holidays a problem and accept that parents are put in a difficult position (Daybreak, 2011).

Why Do We Need a Holiday Anyway?

The benefits of tourist participation are wide ranging, Hazel (2005) describes the benefits of family holidays as; relief & renewal; mental health benefits; social interaction; broadening experiences; developing independence; and strengthening family relationships. Inglis (2000) further states that holidays are important to our emotional life, happiness and fulfilment. In a survey carried out by McCabe (2009) to determine why families 'need' a holiday, 51% thought that the most important reason for the family holiday was to spend time together as a family. This shows the high value that our society places on having a family holiday. Furthermore it has also been found that a lack of holiday opportunities can compound social deprivation, reinforce social problems and heighten social exclusion (Quinn and Stacey, 2010). This further highlights the importance of a holiday and the benefits that it can bring to families, particularly those from low income families who tend to be more vulnerable to social problems such as isolation, lack of family support, stress and living in an unsafe area (Quinn and Stacey, 2010).

Conclusion

This paper highlights the importance of a holiday and the benefits that it can bring to families. However, many low income families are missing out on a holiday because of the extortionate prices charged by the tourism industry during school holidays, however many families choose to take their children out of school to take advantage of the cheaper prices. This leaves the question of, if you can't afford to go on holiday during the school holidays, should you forfeit your annual holiday altogether? The research indicates that there are a range of conflicting views on this issue, but what is your view and what are the possible solutions to this rapidly increasing problem?

Please follow this link and see if you can make up your mind:

Daybreak. (2011) Going on Holiday During Term Time. [Online Video] 22nd March 2011. Available from: http://www.itv.com/daybreak/lifestyle/familiesandparenting/daybreaksfamilyweekgoingonholidayduringterm-time/ [Accessed: 28th April 2011]

Key References

Hickman, L. (2010) Are term time holidays really so bad? The Guardian. [Online] Available from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/jun/28/taking-children-on-holiday-during-term-time [Accessed: 28th April 2011]

Smith, V. and Hughes, H. (1999) Disadvantaged Families and the Meaning of a Holiday. International Journal of Tourism Research, 1, pp. 123-133.

Wallop, H. (2011) Half of parents will take their children out of school for holiday. The Telegraph. [Online] Available from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/8492162/Half-of-parents-will-take-children-out-of-school-for-holiday.html [Accessed: 28th April 2011]

The author of this paper raises an interesting debate that is often mentioned in the media. A family holiday is one to cherish and is an opportunity to reunite as a family; forgetting everyday chores and having fun together. However, with more opportunities available now than ever, it may also be reasonable to suggest that organising a few regular weekend breaks would be just as effective as one long two-week holiday during term time. It is important to consider that although access to tourism is very limited in terms of school term time, other options are always available for families to enjoy leisure in other ways.

We certainly do all need a break from regular everyday activity, but this doesn't necessarily mean a holiday is the only option. However, everyone should have the equal opportunity to decide whether a holiday is the option for them or not. Holidays are very fun and exciting, especially for children, and can also be educational in themselves; learning about different countries and experiencing things we have never experienced before. It is true that many social benefits are gained through family holidays. Children are able to express more independence and interact with others outside of the classroom.

Having undertaken work experience in a local primary school, I have had a first-hand insight into exactly how much children can learn in one day - I've even learnt some new things myself! From this point of view I can understand that missing one or two weeks could have an effect on the child's education - especially if they generally struggle with their work. It may be difficult for some parents to understand this, especially when children come home after a day at school and say "I don't know" whenever asked what they did at school that day. However, I do believe that schools over-exaggerate this need to be in school rather than on holiday.

I'm sure we can all relate to the hot sunny afternoons where we were allowed out on the playground playing games instead of in classes. Or maybe when we were indoors watching films all day near to Christmas as a treat? Surely, if less days were spent like this then more could be spent with their family; as much of an importance in life as school and education.

Schools generally need to have more of an understanding that not everyone can afford to take holidays in the school break. Although supply and demand does affect the prices considerably, surely there is another option. For example, could there be a select number of holiday tickets available on a first-come-first served basis especially offered to the families on a low income? Perhaps the schools could offer funding for those who have less access to leisure time due to financial circumstances? Health and education are indeed important issues in society, but holidays can also help both of these in terms of mental revival and personal development.

The author has raised a very interesting point based on the subject of family holidays and parents taking their children out of school to do so. According to Sugden (2010) a total of six million school days were lost per year, due to children going on holiday during term time, this is an issue that needs to be discussed. The author has stated the vital statistics which is needed in order to set the scene for this topic, and allows you to establish that a large majority of parents 51% , do consider taking their children out of school for the annual holiday and with 15% of parents already done so.

The paper then moves on to state the question holiday or no holiday? With low income families it is very clear that the option of a holiday during term time is cheaper, as the author states a family of 4 could pay £1,132 more for a holiday during half term. However the author does not state the definition of a holiday, does this mean an all-inclusive deal abroad or 4 nights at the seaside? Nevertheless, the main dilemma the families are being faced with is whether or not they take their children out of school or no holiday at all. Griffiths (2010) believes that the tourism industry increase the prices of holidays to encourage parents to take their child out of education for a week or to. However, Wallop (2011) simply believes that it is a supply and demand issue, which does seem the more logical reason. Many people believe that a holiday is essential and can add many benefits to one's life, as the author goes on to state. Hazel (2005) describes the benefits of family holidays as; relief & renewal; mental health benefits; social interaction; broadening experiences; developing independence; and strengthening family relationships. The author identifies all the possible benefits of a holiday and what importance it can have in a child's life. The key argument here is do benefits of a holiday outweigh all the negatives which come from taking a child out of school for one or two weeks. Much schooling material could be missed during this time and the child could be left behind. One could say this could be a short-term activity with long term affects.

Overall the discussion paper has been interesting to read and comment on and raises a very good question; however it does not give any solutions to the problem. The Family Holiday Association and many charities around the UK subsides or allow for vouchers to be purchased in order for low income families to afford to go on a holiday, this would include periods during half term and summer holidays. This could be seen as a potential option for those who are faced with this dilemma, therefore the children are able to stay in school and the annual holiday will not be forfeited.