CHAPTER 10 HOW AMERICANS SPEND THEIR LEISURE TIME

CHAPTER 10 HOW AMERICANS SPEND THEIR LEISURE TIME

Sports and Culture • “The form and type of play and sports life which evolve in any group or nation mirror the development in other segments of the culture. ” --American Academy of Physical Education

SPORTS AND AMERICAN VALUES • Main Point: Organized sports reflect the basic values of the society and attempt to strengthen them in the minds of its people. • Reason why organized sports are more popular than individual sports • Three most popular sports games in the USA • American sports and values 1) equality of opportunity 2) ideal of competition 3) hard work

SPORTS AND AMERICAN VALUES • 1) equality of opportunity Organized sports are “a laboratory in which young men, regardless of social class, can learn the advantages and rewards of a competitive system. ” --Socialist Harry Edward

SPORTS AND AMERICAN VALUES • 2) ideal of competition “It is commonly held that competitive ethic taught in sports must be learned and ingrained in youth for the future success of American business and military efforts. ” Many Americans believe that learning how to win in sports helps develop the habits necessary to compete successfully in later life.

SPORTS AND AMERICAN VALUES 3) hard work and physical courage “Hustle—you can’t survive without it. A quitter never wins; a winner never quits. It’s easy to be ordinary, but it takes guts to excel. ”

Organized sports as “national religion” • Mixture of patriotism & national pride + religious ideas “the Bible says leisure and lying around are morally dangerous… sports keep us busy … There are probably more really committed Christians in sports than in any other occupation in America. ” --Billy Graham

Sports and religion • “Tebowing” Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow has become the poster child for Christian athletes, and his one-knee prayers have become so common that “Tebowing” is now synonymous with public prayer. His quirky playing style and miraculous wins have led some to claim divine intervention, bringing the question to the forefront: Does God influence football games? • “God will give you power to do your best, then it’s up to you to make decisions and choices that cause you to win or lose. ”

Sports and Competition • Negative aspect --excessive desire to win can weaken traditional American values --violence in games <http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=gf. RZvv. Ck. H 74> --performance-enhancing drug --means of income (Univ. of Texas football team brings how much? )

Recreation: A Time for Self. Improvement • Recreation of high level of physical activity is popular such as jogging, running, tennis, skiing belief in hard work “We like to work hard and play hard” • Physical fitness has become a way of life. • Recreation as a means of self-improvement (Protestant heritage) • Respect for self-reliance (hiking in wilderness) • Adventure travel reflects the adventure and danger of frontier life enjoy physical challenge http: //www. worldluxurytourism. com/recreations/top-10 outdoor-recreational-activities. html (top 10 outdoor recreational activities)

Health and Fitness • Obesity has become a national epidemic • Causes—combination of social, cultural, psychological factors 1. “culture of over-indulgence”—”The land of plenty seems destined to include plenty of pounds as well” ex) “Supersize Me” (Documentary) 2. Love of fast food 3. Busy life style—fast food, frozen dinner, restaurant takeout --Americans eat “on the run. ”

“Supersize Me” • “Supersize Me”— trailer http: //www. youtube. c om/watch? v=I 1 Lkyb 6 SU 5 U • http: //www. youtube. c om/watch? v=N 2 di. PZ Otty 0 (7 minutes)

The Impact of TV • “Couch potatoes” • Impact on Children 1. Childhood obesity 2. Lower school achievement 3. Shortening attention span 4. Exposure to sex and violence

Primetime TV programs In the USA In Korea • http: //www. cbs. com/sche • http: //search. daum. net/s dule/? t=8 earch? w=tot&rtmaxcoll= B 3 T&q=%EC%A 7%80%E • 8 -9: The American C%83%81%ED%8 C%8 C% Baking Competition 20 KBS 1%20%ED%8 E%B 8 • 9 -10: The Criminal Mind %EC%84%B 1%ED%91%9 • 10 -11: CSI (Crime Scene C Investigation)

Impact of Internet and smart phones • “surfing the net” • 24/7 access has a huge impact on life style and leisure time “The line between work and home has become so blurred that the only way you can tell them apart is that one has a bed. ”