Leisure and recreation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Leisure and recreation - Essay ExampleThe media boom has definitely resulted in the active forms of entertainment taking a back seat.Leisure is time spent in non-compulsory activities. Beca physical exertion leisure time is free from compulsory activities such as job, running a business, performing day-by-day chores, academics and other routine tasks, it is often referred to as free time. The distinction between leisure and compulsory activities is not strict, as compulsory activities may be done for pleasure as well as for long-term utility1. Capitalist societies often hold a positive view towards active leisure activities. many another(prenominal) active leisure activities read an investment of time and money. Thus, it is more difficult for the e lesser privileged to engage in such activities and they remain restrain only to the affluent section of the society. Capitalist societies often accord members who have more wealth with greater status. Some types of inactive leisure tha t also require an investment of time and money, such as doing slide fastener in a vacation atmosphere, are also viewed positively.On the other hand, an individual who does nothing at home is often referred to as lazy by others in the capitalist society, regardless of their financial and socio-economic status. The wealthy person who does nothing but lounge around the pool at home is seen as lazy. However, the individuals financial investment helps assess the level of status an activity can give a person. So it is that doing nothing by your own pool has higher status than doing nothing watching television without cable.The term Workaholics describes those who work compulsively at the expense of other activities. These individuals favour to work rather than spend time socializing and engaging in other leisure activities. Many see this as a necessary turn over to attain high-ranking corporate positions. However, these days increasing attention is being given to the effects of such i mbalance upon the worker and the family.Historically, workaholics would not have been considered a negative asset , rather they would have been highly commended in the US. In earlier days, American society was driven by the Protestant work value-system which was inspired by the Protestant preacher John Calvin. There are a variety of Protestant sects that stem from Calvinism.A socialist society would belike tend to view activities that do not contribute to society in a negative manner. However, there are different forms of socialism. According to Kent State University professor Marcus Verhaegh, there were Americans who believed in the concept of leisure socialism in the 1960s and 70s. The general belief was that we live in a world of plenty. Thus, if everyone is content with a smaller piece of the pie, everyone can then have their basic needs met. If everyones basic needs are met, many in society can use their free time to pursue the arts, mysticism, athletics, various hobbies and other leisure activities.Socialist writer E. Belfort Bax wrote in 1884 of a similar vision for socialist Europe in the article Socialism and the Sunday Question for Justice Again that work should be spread about so that everyone is provided with times of rest. His focus was on the exclusion of one universal day of rest, but the general ideas are quite similar to those that emerged in nineteenth century America.Recreation is defined as the study of time in a non-profitable way, in many ways also a therapeutic refreshment of ones body