Changes in Play Patterns and Leisure Time Among Male Adolescents: A Comparative Study Between the 1980s Generation and the Contemporary Generation – Oued Rhum (El Qadous) Neighborhood as a Model
Boularaf Redhouane 
Abstract. This research aims to analyze the fundamental transformations in play patterns and leisure practices among adolescents through a comparative approach between two distinct generations: the 1980s generation (currently aged 37–40) and the contemporary adolescent generation (aged 11–16), using the Oued Rhum (El Qadous) neighborhood in Algiers as a field study site.
The research problem is based on a central question: what transformations have occurred in play patterns and leisure activities across these two generations, and what are their sociological implications in the contemporary Algerian context?
The methodology relies on semi-structured interviews (35–40 respondents), direct ethnographic observation in various spaces, and photo-supported interviews. The study reveals a shift from collective play practices in physical public spaces to more individual and virtual practices, linked to the reconfiguration of family cultural capital.
The findings contribute to a deeper sociological understanding of socialization mechanisms and the role of space in shaping adolescents’ recreational practices across generations.
Keywords: play patterns, public spaces, generational comparison, collective memory, digital transformation