Historical Perspective: Leisure & Recreation

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the historical evolution of leisure and recreation from ancient times to the modern era.

Ancient Egyptian Leisure Activities

Physical sports including hunting, fishing, target shooting, wrestling, boxing, stick fencing, long-distance races, and gymnastic exercises.

Ancient Israelite Contributions

Performed music and dancing for rituals and celebrations, and established the Sabbath as a time for rest and worship.

The Sabbath

The seventh day established by ancient Israelites as a specific time for people to rest from work and perform worship.

Moro-moro

A type of anti-Muslim comedy categorized under ancient recreation and leisure.

Renaissance Period ($1350-1600$)

A great cultural movement in the arts and education where upper-class men were expected to ride, fence, dance, and paint.

Reformation Period ($1500$s-$1600$s)

An era governed by the Protestant work ethic where recreation was earned through hard work, and having ample leisure time was viewed as being a loafer.

Protestant work ethic

A cultural concept introduced to colonial America founded on the principle of "work before play."

Working-class Leisure (Industrial Revolution)

Limited by a lack of time and energy, with few opportunities other than visiting taverns or pubs.

Middle-class Leisure (Industrial Revolution)

Activities that modeled the upper class, such as playing the piano, singing, and performing drama.

Upper-class Leisure (Industrial Revolution)

Consisted of various forms of recreation including bird watching, fishing, cricket, polo, and hunting.

Roaring $20$s

A period where leisure included touring in the newly invented automobile, jazz, gambling, and dancing the Charleston in illegal after-hours clubs.

Depression Years ($1929-1945$)

A time when recreation became less formal, featuring picnics, square dances, big bands, swing music, and movie theaters with sound.

Modern Era ($1950$-Present)

Marked by middle-class citizens having extra money for fun, faster transportation for travel, and technological advancements in recreation.

Recent Developments

A shift in priorities from working long hours toward family recreational activities, adult sports leagues, and fitness memberships.