Kraus Chapter04

7/30/2019 Kraus Chapter04

1/44

4

Recreation and

Leisure in the

Modern Era


2/44

Objectives

Discuss the ways in which recreation and leisureservices expanded in the years immediatelyfollowing World War II.

Discuss the social and demographic changes thatinitiated many changes in recreation and leisureservices in the years following World War II.

Identify the ways in which the recreation and

leisure movement participated in and aided manyof the causes taken up by the youth countercultureof the 1960s and 1970s.


3/44

Objectives (contd)

Identify the social trends that brought a decline in

the perceived value of leisure during the late

1970s and 1980s.Discuss the prospects for the future of recreation

and leisure, based upon the prevalent trends at the

close of the twentieth century.


4/44


5/44

Introduction (contd)

Emergence of specialized disciplines andprofessional groups serving

MilitaryBusiness

Private membership groups

Economic austerity of the 80s and 90s, andthe following upsurge in the nationaleconomy


6/44

Post-World War II

Expectations

Expanding definition of leisure in the 1950s

and 1960s

Focus on the future showed expansive leisure

time

Rand Corporation

Hudson Institute

National Commission on Technology


7/44

Post-World War II

Expectations (contd)

Assumption that leisure would become

increasingly important to preserving value

Agreement that work ethic was declining

Work becoming more specialized

Leisure seen as having great potential for

confronting social problems


8/44

Post-World War II

Expectations (contd)

Widespread downsizing in the mid-1990s

Economic pessimism

Late 1990s recovery and growth improved


9/44

Expansion of Recreation and

Leisure

Influence of National Affluence

Rising GNP following WWII

Americans were spending billions per year on

leisure pursuits

Until the mid 1970s government increased:Budgets Personnel

Facilities Programs

Growing professional curricula


10/44


Leisure (contd)

National Recreation and Park Association

created from National Recreation Association

American Recreation Society

American Institute of Park Executives

Effect of Demographic Changes

Move from cities to surrounding suburbs

following WWII


11/44


Leisure (contd)

Suburbs established their own recreation

services and plans

Inner city population experienced immigrant

influx

Many accustomed to rural living with few job skills Posed problems of health, housing, welfare and

social control


12/44

Trends in Program

Sponsorship

Physical Fitness Emphasis

Response to many draft rejections during

WWII

Schools strengthened physical fitness programs

Public recreation departments expanded fitnessofferings

Canada establishes similar programs


13/44

Trends in Program

Sponsorship (contd)

Environmental Concerns

Critical need to preserve and rehabilitate

resources

Pollution was invading the environment

Outdoor Recreation Resources ReviewCommission

Created under President Eisenhower

Appointed to investigate environmental problems


14/44

Trends in Program

Sponsorship (contd)

Government Acts

Federal Water Pollution Control Administration Water Quality Act of 1965

Clean Water Restoration Act of 1966

Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965

Highway Beautification Act of 1965

Mining Reclamation Act of 1968

Wilderness Act 1964


15/44


16/44

Trends in Program

Sponsorship (contd)

Budget cuts in the 1980s

Regulations relaxed under Secretary of the Interior,James Watt

National outdoor recreation planning ends in 1981

Meeting Age-Group Needs

Three changes in population Rise in birth rate

Longer life spans

Increasing divorce/single parent households


17/44

Trends in Program

Sponsorship (contd)Special Recreation for Persons with

Disabilities

Provision of services expanded and

strengthened

Federal government increased aid for special

education

Therapeutic recreation emerges

National Recreation Society 1960s

American Therapeutic Recreation Association 1980s


18/44

Trends in Program

Sponsorship (contd)

Increased Interest in the Arts

Expansion of cultural centers following WWII Follow-up to attention given to arts during GreatDepression

Expanded interest and participation

Community arts activities in the 1970s and1980s

National Endowment for the Arts

Declining federal support in the 1980s


19/44


20/44

Trends in Program

Sponsorship (contd)

Linkage of Antipoverty and Race-Related

ProgrammingRiots of 1960s caused by frustration over

Continuing job and educational discrimination

Protests against justice system

Poor community services

Inadequate recreation and park programs andfacilities


21/44

Trends in Program

Sponsorship (contd)

Antipoverty programs attempted to address

concerns Emphasis on minority groups and urban slums

Grants to local governments and organizations

Community Action Programs emerged


22/44

Counterculture: Youth in

Rebellion

Rejection of the Work Ethic

Rejection of the notion of "making it" in

professional world

Retreat from Protestant work ethic

Emphasis on holistic values of leisureLeisure in the pursuit of self-actualization


23/44

Drives for Equality by

Disadvantaged Groups

Racial and Ethnic Minorities

Thrust for demanding fuller recreationalservices in the 1960s and 1970s

Gradual desegregation during 1970s and 1980s

Membership efforts of YMCA, Boy Scouts andGirl Scouts expanded to serve minorities

Racial and ethnic minorities achieve success incollege and professional sports andentertainment


24/44


Disadvantaged Groups (contd)

Progress for Women

In the 1970s women mobilized around twoissues in recreation and leisure:

Employment discrimination

Program involvement

Gays and Lesbians 1960s and 1970s saw homosexuals growing in force

and influence

Fight for equal representation and participation


25/44



Older Adults in Community Life

Once treated as powerless and vulnerableAARP, Gray Panthers

Administration on Aging

Diversification of programsHealth care Housing and transportationSocial services Recreation

Nutrition


26/44



Programming for Persons with Disabilities

People with disabilities began to mobilizepolitically

Promotion of positive legislation

Therapeutic recreation specialists expand focus

Expansion of services Theater arts

Skiing

Sports


27/44

Era of Austerity and Fiscal

Cutbacks

Expanding Use of Revenue Sources

Acceptance of Marketing Orientation Recognition of the necessity to be aggressive

Recreation emerges as an industry

To compete effectively, agencies had to adoptbusinesslike strategies


28/44


29/44

Era of Austerity and Fiscal

Cutbacks (contd)

Impact of Funding Cuts

National Urban Recreation Study of 1978 Majority of urban park and recreation departments

had been cut back

Small towns survived better than major cities

Areas of greatest need often have the fewest

recreation services

Public and private recreation is equally scarce


30/44

Expansion of Other Recreation

Programs

Commercial recreation is the largest

component of leisure servicesOther major sectors of leisure involvement

Travel and tourism

Fitness spasProfessional sports and sports equipment

Manufacture/sale of hobbies, toys and games

Varied forms of popular entertainment


31/44

Expansion of Other Recreation

Programs (contd)

Specialized recreation programming grows

steadilyTherapeutic recreation

Employee services

Campus recreationPrivate membership and residential leisure

services


32/44

Trends in the 1990sTrends in the 1990s

Continuing Diversification

Broader emphasis beyond the local public realm

Overall need to broaden public awareness of thisfield

Economic Stratification

Implications for Leisure

"Conspicuous consumption" Growing disparity between rich and poor

Rich have greater access to better services andfacilities


33/44

Trends in the 1990s (contd)

Growing Conservatism in Social Policy

Withdrawal of assistance of welfare and inner

city programs in the early 90sStriking down of Affirmative Action policies

Curbs on immigration from third world nations

Bilingual language programs discardedMove to reduce environmental protections

Assaults on the NEA


34/44

Trends in the 1990s (contd)Number of those imprisoned rose as crimedecreased

Vindictive attitude toward justice

Few recreation services for the incarcerated

New mandates for public welfare

Child welfare

Long-term care for older adults

Health care Environmental protection enforcement

Legal help for the urban poor

Youth programs


35/44


Commodification and Privatization of Leisure

Services

Commodification Process of commercialization through design and

marketing

Packaging leisure

Conglomeration


36/44


Fee-based public recreation

Annual or seasonal programs

Classes, camps, tournaments, special events

PrivatizationPrison industry grows in the 90s

Central Park Conservancy

Marks withdrawal of major portions of thepopulation

Brought decline of "social capital"


37/44


New Environmental Initiatives

Decades of neglect and overcrowding left

nation's park and forest system in a precariousstate

National Park Trust

Acquisition of new parks and wetlands

Reported Decline of Leisure

Disputed Findings


38/44


Technological Impacts on Leisure

Travel

Tourism planning and reservations

Electronic guidance and navigation systems

Home environments

Nanny cams

Home theater systems

Intelligent wallpaper

Virtual features

Automations

Electronics


39/44


Television, video games, children's toys

80% of homes have cable or satellite

40% of free time is spent watching television

Gaming content, Internet


40/44


Paradox of availability

Those who need it the least have the best access

Few services for those who would most benefitCritical challenge for recreation professionals

Gather evidence of social value and outcomes

Incorporate evidence into benefit-based

management


41/44

Leisure and Recreation in the

Twenty-First Century

Major influences

Changing demographics

Economic recession


42/44


Twenty-First Century (contd)

Sedentary lifestyles

Contributes to obesity epidemic

Particular concerns about obesity and lack of

physically activity for children

Parks and recreation services identified asnecessary for promotion of public health


43/44


44/44


Twenty-First Century (contd)

Changing demographics require new

programs and services Growth of older population

Changing family composition

Increase in ethnic diversity

Documents

Kraus Chapter04