The Evolution of Leisure, Recreation, and Play

Chapter 2

HPR 200Spring 2011

Quiz

• Name the three components of leisure. (2 pts)

• Name the three ways to conceptualize leisure. (2 pts)

• Identify the three components of play. (1 pt)

Defining Leisure

• Elements– Perceived freedom– Autotelic activity– Beneficial outcome

• Conceptualizations– Time– Activity– State of mind

Play

• Spontaneity• Expressive• Done for its own sake

Questions

Evolution

• Continuous change• Worse to better• Simple to more complex

Evolutionary Continuum

• Early societies• Old world societies• New world societies• Middle-era societies• Modern societies

Lets talk history…Lets talk history…

• In early cultures and societies, would recreation have been valued? Why or why not? In what forms? How might religion and social hierarchy have been factors? As societies diversified, how did recreation change?

• “the life of every man…solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” —Hobbes – How might this have applied to the ability to recreate?

In the earliest societies In the earliest societies

• Recreation was reserved for the general populations only on special occasions such as religious holidays or feast days.

• More wealthy members in more complex class systems may have been members of leisure classes.

Early Societies

• Fire• Tribes and chiefdoms

– Rituals– Taboos– Religion

• Primitive states– Leisure class– Amusive leisure

Old World Societies

• Mesopotamia• Ancient Egypt• Ancient Israel• Ancient Greece• Ancient Rome

Mesopotamia

• Written communication• Wheel• 60-minute hour• 360 degree circle• Code of law• Hanging Gardens of Babylon

(key development)

Ancient Egypt

• Pharaoh, nobility, craftsmen, peasants

• Religious ceremonies• Affluent class engaged in sports

Ancient Israel

• Monotheism• Sabbath• Singing and dancing

Ancient Greece

• Schole• Olympics• Aristotle

Aristotle’s Three Levels of Leisure

Contemplation

Recreation

Amusement

Ancient Rome

• Seized captives • Upper class • 50 to 175 holidays

New World Societies

• Mayans– Special festivals– Dramatic performances

• Aztecs– Stratified society– Hunting

Middle Era Societies

• China• Japan• India• Islam• Europe

China

• Affluent class• Peasant class• Leisure class• Fireworks• Novels

Japan

• Privileged class• Farmers • Role of women• Samurai• Sumo wrestling

India

• Caste system• Wealth = leisure

Islam

• Sabbath for recreation and leisure• Large public festivals• Separation between men and women

Europe

• European revival– Merchant class

• European renaissance– Church of Rome lost power– Exploration by wealthy

Modern Societies

• British experience• French experience• German experience• American experience

British

• Royalty, aristocrats, and commoners• Second home for leisure• Vacations• Sports

French

• 52 sabbaths• 90 rest days• 38 holidays• Monarchy restricted leisure time• Granted public access to estates

German

• Turnen• Turnplatz• Christian and pagan holidays• Oktoberfest

American

• Puritans• Revolutionary War• YMCA/YMHA• Unique American holidays• Television• Travel