Why Philosophy?

Relationships with clients Relationships within the

organization Relationships with other

institutions

Americans and Leisure Philosophy

Leisure for Americans, leisure is a very recent concept

Slavery in other societies was even justified to allow the elite to live a life of leisure

Americans confuse leisure with idleness Making money is an essential part of

the American ideal, and making money is connected to work

Chapter IV, Four, 4

Perennialism: Life is constant There are eternal truths Human ability to reason is key, and

that our truth is prompted by both study and divine intervention

Recreation and religion are intertwined, and leisure promotes spiritual values

Chapter IV, Four, 4

Pragmatism/Experimentalist: Ideas must have a practical application The world are constantly changing and

therefore must be updated End results should be observable and

concrete End tests/surveys/etc are commonly done to

find if the program was effective

Chapter IV, Four, 4

Humanism: Humans are the supreme being in the

universe Humans should be concerned with human

interests and not those of spiritual beings Humans should realize their full potential

and achieving joy, self-realization and mastery of skills is essential

Chapter IV, Four, 4

Idealism: Somewhat in conflict with realist ideals Humans act according to their beliefs and

ideas Humans should develop their own ideals as

individuals and idealism welcomes theory as a way of explanation

Reality exist within the mind of the individual

Leisure, in this regard, promotes a greater understanding of the world and its people

Chapter IV, Four, 4

Realism: Objects and the world have an existence

outside of human consciousness Realist are concerned with the practical and

the real, not theory and ideas Change is part of a natural evolution that

leads to an ultimate perfection Realist use leisure to help people get in

touch with the real world and to discover the natural order of things

Chapter IV, Four, 4

Existentialism: Individual freedom Humans are responsible only to themselves

and should not be influenced by others Authentic experience is crucial Change is a constant, individual choices

help you to adapt Leisure choices should be left up to the

individual-agencies help people make their own choices

Mass Leisure

Sports Cultural Events Environment Tourism Mass Media

The Environment

341 million visitor days at USFS* 300 million visitor days at NPS Revolution in equipment Revolution in transportation Revolution in information Revolution in attitudes

Sports

Is the US a “spectator society?” Are sports a sign of elitism, and is

that changing in the US? How does John Kelly define sports? How might geography affect

choices in sports? Which country buys the most

equipment for sports?

Anti-Social Leisure

Sexual Behavior Men and women more equal Viewed as conquest

Alcohol Original purpose changed Acquired taste

Csikszentmihalyi and tv

Television is often designed to do the opposite of art…to reassure rather than excite

Americans watch tv when they have time, rather than because they want to watch a particular show

Women’s tv viewing tends to be slightly more active than men’s

Education levels may affect desire to watch television

Although heavy use of television promotes family gathering, the quality of the time is often low

Csikszentmihalyi and tv

Heavy tv viewers feel worse than light tv viewers when alone or during unstructured time

Television viewing provides relaxation rewards only during the activity itself

Satisfaction with television viewing decreases the longer it is done

Tourism

HI-AYH are convinced that travel is a way to achieve a greater understanding of the world

Tourism accounts for 12% of the GDP

US generates a trade surplus of $24 billion annually

Adventure tourism and eco-tourism are trendy markets

Tourism

Local recreational activities are becoming more popular

Indoor, all-weather attractions are becoming more popular

Although not mentioned, heritage tourism is now the industry’s fastest growing segment

Travel

Relatives and Friends 48% Entertainment 35% Outdoor Recreation 15% Used motor transport 83% Air transport 13% Involved hotel stay 41%

The Arts

Broadway shows 10.6 Broadway road tours 18.0 Nonprofit professional theatre 17.2 Opera 4.0 Symphony orchestra 31.9

LifestylesAccording to the aarp

The Strugglers The Anxious The Enthusiasts The Self-Reliants The Traditionalists

The Strugglers

9% of the population Large number of females (64%) Lowest income group Find it hard to save for retirement Do not have an optimistic view of

retirement Plan to live off relatives and children

The Anxious

23% of the population Slight sense of apprehension about

their future Expect to have to work during

retirement for necessary income Health care in later years is a

major concern

The Enthusiasts

13% of population Eager to reach retirement Do not plan to work in retirement

(prime targets for leisure industry) Imagine that they will have plenty

of money and time for recreation Retirement is seen as a reward for

hard work

The Self ReliantS

30% of population (largest group) The highest income levels Do not plan to work during

retirement (even better targets for leisure industry)

Those that plan to work, plan to do it for fun and fulfillment

The Traditionalists

25% of population Traditional in many attitudes Strong confidence in government

programs for the retired Plan to work and also receive help

from the government in retirement

Youth Development

Heath/physical competence Personal/social competence Cognitive/creative competence Vocational competence Citizenship/ethics competency

Twenties

Personal identity Job skills Less dependence on parents Sexual intimacy Career and family decisions

thirties

Career issues are paramount Intimacy and marriage loses its

appeal (in relationships) Lifestyle changes (taking stock in

life) Materialism First stages of physical decline

fifties

Acceptance of life’s choices People mellow out Family and friends more important,

but other social interests diminish Quality over quantity Health is of greater concern Plan for retirement

forties

Upset with life’s choices Guilt for past mistakes Time is passing too quickly Marriage/relationship satisfaction at all

time low (but rises at late 40s) Immortality first enters the picture Priorities change Increase in social and fitness activity

Sixties and beyond…

High satisfaction with work Feel the same as they did in early adulthood Acceptance of new role in life (retired) Spouse is principle friend/recreation partner Health issues critical May feel isolation (children are gone and doing

their own thing) May make strident attempts to remain active

in society Begin personal preparation for death