The Historical Aspects of Leisure - Example

Business mаnаgеmеnt Leisure Соnсерts Name Tutor Course Date WEEK ONE: what is Leisure? This week’s lecture focussed on describing and understanding what leisure is, and what it means to everyone. In the lecture, we were asked to describe in our own words what leisure entails. Most of us agreed that leisure is the fee time from work, school and other activities that we conduct in our daily lives. In the lecture, we were asked to consider what the relationship between leisure and fee time is, and consider what constitutes free time, and in our free time, are we completely independent from the tasks and activities that we conduct in our daily lives. Are our work and activities a distinct and separate feature of our free time? All aspects of the lecture were interesting and engaging, but in particular, the component of freedom of choice, was important to me personally (Holden, 2012). The fact that our right to exercise one’s freedom in a manner that I seem fit, and its connection to leisure was interesting (Bavinton, 2010). Choosing to do an action, or an activity for no convincing choice, or reason, being able to express yourself in a free manner that is beyond satisfaction, and freeing oneself from the occasion chores and activities to attain happiness and fun is what describes the leisure. They say moments last forever, and that in itself is what motivated us when we do not have to do anything (Kelly, 2012). The various descriptions of leisure were the most difficult part of this lecture. The various complicated descriptions take away the actual meaning that people derive from leisure (Leitner & Leitner, 2012). The theoretical aspect of some descriptions of leisure with the creation of people’s innovative capabilities, which seems more like work, then fun activities. Leisure is related with enjoyment, and the ability to leisure activities places indicate that we can always apply fun to every activity (Voigt, 2010). WEEK TWO: The historical development of leisure The lecture, this week, examined the historical development of leisure and leisure as a construction of modern western society. The historical aspects of leisure were discussed from four historical points, which include: the hunter-gatherer society, the Greek origins of leisure, leisure as an industrial revolution, and the leisure society. The historical perspective of leisure enabled me to understand the origin and the emerging aspect of leisure. After examining the historical aspect of leisure, and its changing style, norm, and development throughout the centuries, I am completely looking forward on what the future hold for leisure (Stebbins, 2011). The rapid changing climate that characterises the today’s global operating environment, and the multi-cultural nature of today’s societies means that technology and cultural exchange plays a significant role in determining the nature and extent of pleasure in the future. The changing nature of the global economy, the rise of the middle class, and consumerism shows that much of the global population work more, and have less time to have fun and leisure. These days, we live to work, and not work to live (Leitner & Leitner, 2012). For everything the society has missed, it has gained something else, and for everything the society gains, they lose something’ and leisure is part of this that loss. The loss of leisure shows how the society is becoming sad and less engaging in fun activities. Pleasuring of activities has also taken a back seat against a society that focusses more on work, and development than fun and leisure. (Milner, 2011) WEEK THREE: The benefits and dis-benefits of leisure. The benefits of leisure participation were discussed this week. These benefits are grouped into five categories with none of them being more important than the other. They all play a significant role in the leisure participation. The five categories include: Social health- leisure performed in social environments. Physical health; physical activity in the form of leisure; Economic health, leisure plays a very significant part of the domestic economy; Psychological health, self-relief, positive self-esteem and self-actualisation is permissible by leisure, and Spiritual health, not just religion. A sense of spirituality can be heightened by challenge (Kool & Botvinick, 2012). The self-relief, positive self-esteem and self-actualisation, are vital for ensuring that the society is happy and focuses on creating a more robust environment for the development of social well-ness and wellbeing (Leitner & Leitner, 2012). Physical leisure activities ensure that the society is physically fit and active, and this boost the self-reliance and esteem. The success of the domestic economy is heavily reliant on the leisure activities people engage in, the success of the local tourism circuit and hotel industry is dependent on the level of leisure in the society (Milner, 2011). Spiritual leisure makes someone feels good about him, or herself, and this boosts their self-esteem and confidence. WEEK 4- Self-esteem, Leisure and Stress This week’s lectures focussed on discussing the effects of leisure on Leisure, stress and self-esteem. Leisure has a direct link with Leisure, stress and self-esteem. The more the society participates in leisure activities, the happier they become, which reduces the level of stress and self-esteem. T improve self-esteem people in the society should take part more on leisure activities (Kelly, 2012). The self-esteem boost would reduce the level of stress at both the personal and society level. Self-esteem forms a substantial part in determining the level of stress, which are all dependent on the leisure activities (Stebbins, 2011). My personal experience, results from playing football, being part of a team, playing with them and sharing the success and failures with my friends, brought me so much pleasure and increased by self-esteem, and this ensured that I was able to have a positive attitude towards the society and daily activities. The low level of stress improves my performance in school. WEEK FIVE: Leisure Patterns in Australia Leisure patterns in Australia have changed from 1700’s to today. In this week’s lecture, we discussed what people do for their leisure and how it had changed over time. Between 1788 and 1851 leisure mainly consisted of theatre and sports such as horse racing, boxing and cock fighting. These leisure activities were masculine based. During 1851 and 1901, eight hour days were put into action, which resulted in a huge amount of free time for leisure. These days, it is completely different from those days (Leitner & Leitner, 2012). The contemporary nature of the Australian economy, and its link with the global economy means that most people in the society are entertained by both local and international contents. Horse racing and boxing still form part in today’s leisure activities, but Play Stations, Walkman’s, Smart Phones, DVD’s and CD, and major international concerts characterise most of the leisure activities (Kool & Botvinick, 2012). Most people in the society prefer to hang around in night clubs, pubs and restaurants as their past time, or leisure activity. Travelling both locally and abroad forms another part of leisure activities. References Bavinton, N., 2010. Putting leisure to work: city image and representations of nightlife. Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure & Events, 2(3), pp. 236-250. Holden, M. E., 2012. Achieving sustainable mobility: everyday and leisure-time travel in the EU. New York: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. Karlis, G., 2011. Leisure and recreation in Canadian society: An introduction. Ottawa: Thompson Educational Pub. Kelly, J. R., 2012. Leisure. 4th ed. New York: Sagamore Publishing. Kool, W. & Botvinick, M., 2012. A Labor/Leisure Tradeoff in Cognitive Control, s.l.: s.n. Leitner, M. J. & Leitner, S. F., 2012. Leisure enhancement. Urbana, Volume 61801, p. 51. Milner, M., 2011. An experiment in leisure. New York: Taylor & Francis. Rimmington, A., Williams, C. & Morrison, A., 2012. Entrepreneurship in the hospitality, tourism and leisure industries. London: Routledge. Stebbins, R. A., 2011. Serious leisure: A perspective for our time. Washington DC: Transaction Publishers. Voigt, C., 2010. Understanding wellness tourism: an analysis of benefits sought, health- promoting behaviours and positive psychological well-being, Adelaide: University of South Australia. Read More