Chapter 6

1. Chapter 6 C H A P T E R 6 Leisure Historyand Heritage Lee J. deLisle

2. Learning Outcomes • Understand the role of leisure in human evolutionary development. • Describe and give examples of the relationship between leisure and threats to survival. • Identify sociological and technological practices that expand leisure opportunities. • Describe the relationship between leisure and work. • Discuss the similarities and differences in leisure behavior in ancient cultures. (continued)

3. Learning Outcomes (continued) • Discuss the influence of ancient cultures on our contemporary understanding and use of leisure. • Describe political, religious, and economic influences on leisure behaviors. • Describe the cultural and economic conditions that led to the Playground Movement. • Identify the stages of development in the formation of recreational services in the United States.

4. Leisure: The Basis of Culture • Leisure as free or unobligated time • Leisure and the cultural connection • Leisure and creative activity • Threats to survival and the leisure experience • Contemporary threats to survival • How do we experience leisure?

5. Primacy of Leisure • Creation versus evolution: What are the facts? • Creation: the interplay of work and time • The role of the Sabbath • Leisure as paradise

6. Early Civilizations • Leisure artifacts in ancient tribes and civilizations • Hunter-gatherers and free time • Controlling fire, the evolution of tools, and the emergence of technology

7. Agricultural Alternatives • A major shift in human productivity • Understanding circadian rhythm • Rules for communal living • The emergence of community

8. The Rise of Civilization • Stable communal living fosters cultural development • Assimilation and growth • Practical sciences • Government • Architecture • Aesthetics • Amusements

9. War and Slavery • War as a threat to survival • Spoils of war • Nonracial slavery • Slavery and free men’s leisure

10. Egyptian Leisure • Class-based leisure • Slave labor • Emergence of a leisure class • Art and architecture • Egypt’s strengths • Strategic location: water supply, moderate climate • Internal organization: top-down leadership • Stable food supply; religious system supported power structure

11. Emergence of Greece • Men’s leisure: schole • Leisure as cultural development • Education • Political awareness • Philosophy • Physical activity • Arts and sciences • Role of slavery

12. A Philosophy of Excellence • Arête: the excellent use of leisure • Contemplation of the good • Self-improvement and education • Contribution to society • The art of right living

13. Roman Leisure • Games • Gladiatorial contests • Public festivals • The baths • Amusements • Theater • Literature • Arts and architecture • Technology

14. The Coliseum or Amphitheater of Flavius in Rome was the site of gladiatorial battles and other blood sports, holding more than 55,000 spectators and offering free entertainment for all.

15. Leisure and Social Control • Games and the glory of Rome • Parades • Bread and circuses • Blood sports • Coliseums, circuses, and baths • Leisure and Roman decline

16. Medieval Period • From the fall of Rome to the Renaissance: 455 to 1455 CE • Threats to survival on the rise • Political instability: barbarism • Migration • War • Disease • Cultural stagnation: Dark Ages

17. Renaissance • End of the Dark Ages • Created by humanism • Supported by the aristocrats of Italy • Universality of thought and art • Age of pageantry and spectacles • Physical activity was useful and enjoyable

18. Age of Discovery • The enlightenment • Empiricism and science on the rise • Leisure as an important aspect of human life • Recreational activity in school settings • Beginning of modern scientific culture

19. Industrial Revolution • Centralized work • Growth of technology • Segmentation of leisure • By day and time • By age • By sex • By economic status

20. Factory work greatly enhanced economic growth in the United States but did so at great cost to individuals and families.

21. Social Problems and Solutions • Fragmentation of families due to factory work • Child labor • Lack of supervision and education of children • Philanthropic intervention • Church and governmental intervention

22. Playground Movement • 1868 Boston playgrounds • Chicago, New York, Detroit parks and play spaces • Supervision by boards of education • Recreational service provision is introduced

23. Early Developmentsin Recreational Services • C. Rainwater: • Eight stages of progress in recreation • From simplicity to complexity • From philanthropy to professional service • George Heljte: the integration of recreation into community life • Five stages of development

24. Contemporary Observations • Jay Shivers: • Evolution of the profession • Leisure as an essential service • Leisure on the political realm • Specialization in service • Services for all abilities

25. Age of Leisure • Discovery, invention, power, leisure • Reduction of work hours • Evolution of the weekend • Acceptance of vacation time • Commercialization and consumption of leisure • Social value of leisure • Acceptance by religious organizations

26. Leisure Service Delivery Systems • Governmentally based services such as national and state parks, municipal parks and recreation departments, and other taxed-based entities • Nonprofit organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, Scouting, and faith-based organizations with a social imperative to improve the quality of life for citizens • Commercial enterprises that seek to provide recreational experiences combined with a private profit motive

27. National Recreationand Park Association • 1898: New England Association of Park Supervisors • 1904: American Association of Park Superintendents • 1906: Playground Association of America • 1911: Playground and Recreation Association of America • 1926: Recreational Management School • 1930: National Recreation Association (continued)

28. National Recreationand Park Association (continued) • 1938: Society of Recreation Workers of America • 1965: National Recreation and Park Association was formed • Professional development • Annual national and regional conferences • Career center • Accreditation • Research and publications • Programs and partnerships

29. Recreational Activity in the 21st Century • One third of our time, land, and money is used for recreational activities. • Recreational activity is a basic human need. • Benefits of leisure. • Technology creates and shapes our leisure experiences. • Civilization continues through the use of leisure.

30. Leisure and Quality of Life • Concern for the protection of the natural environment • Recreational activities combating poverty and racial tension • Additional recreational programming for girls and women • Addressing the needs of military groups (morale, welfare, and recreation)

31. Recreation and Quality of Life • Programs for individuals with differing abilities and dedicated facilities • Programs for the elderly • Constant adjustment of the profession to the economic realities of each subsequent decade

32. Plans for the Future The environment, technology, demography, changing value systems, economics, health, and work versus free time will be important factors in determining the future path of leisure services.

33. Summary • Leisure resulted in the establishment of the greatest civilizations on earth. • Leisure and recreational activities both define and contribute to the advancement of human culture. • Recreational service has evolved from a private and personally directed leisure experience to highly complex organizations.