Recreation: Difference between revisions
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==Legal restrictions== |
==Legal restrictions== |
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Some recreational activities are made illegal in many jurisdictions because of the perceived immorality of certain forms of "fun". These include [[gambling]], using [[drugs]], some forms of [[sex]], viewing or producing [[erotica]]/[[pornography]], and some forms of dancing (such as [[belly dance]]), or even all dancing (see ''[[Footloose]]'', [[Taliban]]). Often one form of an activity is viewed as immoral by a culture while other forms are viewed as acceptable. For example, certain forms of sexual activities have been outlawed in certain regions, such as prohibitions against [[sodomy]] in parts of the [[United States]] (though the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] recently ruled such laws unconstitutional in the [[Lawrence v. Texas]] case), while other forms of sex are acceptable. Another example is recreational drug use. In most of the world, responsible [[alcoholic beverage|alcohol]] consumption, a form of recreational drug use is legal and acceptable by most people's moral standards. This is probably because alcohol has traditionally been in wide use.<ref>{{cite web|url= |
Some recreational activities are made illegal in many jurisdictions because of the perceived immorality of certain forms of "fun". These include [[gambling]], using [[drugs]], some forms of [[sex]], viewing or producing [[erotica]]/[[pornography]], and some forms of dancing (such as [[belly dance]]), or even all dancing (see ''[[Footloose]]'', [[Taliban]]). Often one form of an activity is viewed as immoral by a culture while other forms are viewed as acceptable. For example, certain forms of sexual activities have been outlawed in certain regions, such as prohibitions against [[sodomy]] in parts of the [[United States]] (though the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] recently ruled such laws unconstitutional in the [[Lawrence v. Texas]] case), while other forms of sex are acceptable. Another example is recreational drug use. In most of the world, responsible [[alcoholic beverage|alcohol]] consumption, a form of recreational drug use is legal and acceptable by most people's moral standards. This is probably because alcohol has traditionally been in wide use.<ref>{{cite web|url= |
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==Health== |
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Some individuals view recreation as largely non-productive, even trivial. Excessive recreation is not considered healthy, and may be labeled as [[escapism]]. However, research has shown that recreation contributes to life satisfaction, quality of life, health and wellness, and that the use of recreation as a diversion may have clinical applications to individuals with chronic pain and other health impairments. In some cultures and religions, recreation is encouraged on certain days and discouraged on others. For example, in [[Judaism]], the [[Shabbat]] is a day for recreation and relaxation, which has in turn influenced many Christian sects to use the [[Sabbath in Christianity|Sabbath]] for the same purpose. However, some sects interpret the Sabbath to be a day where worship is done in lieu of recreation. |
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Recreation is essential to the longevity of human beings, especially because it helps counteract [[stress (medicine)|stress]]. According to research cited in [[Time (magazine)|''Time'' magazine]], stress is a major factor in many of the leading causes of death in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,950883,00.html?internalid=ACA|title=Stress: Can We Cope?|author=Claudia Wallis|date=1983-06-06|publisher=''Time''|accessdate=2007-06-14}}</ref> |
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==Organized recreation== |
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[[Image:Hanami party, sakura and koi nobori.jpg|thumb|300px|Recreation during weekend along riverbanks in Japan]] |
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Recreation can become an organized activity of [[local government]]s and for-profit [[enterprise]]s. Local governments often create parks boards and/or community centers. Growing interest and funding via grants and taxation can result in an official parks and recreation department, which provides venues and staffing for organised sports, at-risk-youth activities, arts and [[craft]]s, and [[senior citizen]] activities. Several [[U.S. state]] governments operate recreation programs for their [[prison]] populations. Though controversial, these programs are intended to provide inmates with constructive use of their time through access to music, hobbies, crafts and exercise equipment. Other possible benefits include reduced healthcare costs and a lower [[recidivism]] rate. Private organised recreation is usually focused on a specific type of sport such as river [[rafting]] or [[mountaineering]]. |
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==Recreation as a career== |
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Becoming a recreation specialist often requires a [[bachelor of arts]] degree in recreation management. A recreation specialist would be expected to meet the recreational needs of a community or assigned interest group. People with such degrees often work in parks and recreation centers in towns, on community projects and activities. Networking with instructors, [[budgeting]], and evaluation of continuing programs are common job duties. Most U.S. states have a professional organization for [[continuing education]] and [[professional certification|certification]] in recreation management. The [[National Recreation and Park Association]] administers an examination called the CPRP (Certified Park and Recreation Professional) that is considered a national standard for professional recreation specialist practices.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrpa.org/content/default.aspx?documentId=1070|title=CPRP Exam|publisher=National Recreation and Park Association|date=2007|accessdate=2007-06-14}}</ref> |
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==Examples== |
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*[[Dancing]] |
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*[[Food and drink|Eating and drinking]] |
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*[[Partying]] |
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*[[Hunting]] and [[fishing]] |
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*[[Hobbies]] |
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*[[Computer game]]s |
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*[[Reading (activity)|Reading]] a [[book]] |
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*[[Shopping]] |
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*[[Kite flying]] |
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*Listening to [[music]] |
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*[[Sports]] and [[exercise]] |
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*[[Travel]] and [[tourism]] |
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*[[Martial arts]] |
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*[[Yoga]] |
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*Using the [[Internet]] |
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*Visiting an [[amusement park]] |
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*[[Singing]] |
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*[[Video games]] |
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|} |
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In recent years, more 'exciting' forms of recreation have received more attention in the public eye, such as: [[skiing]], [[snowboarding]], [[bungee jumping]], [[sky diving]], [[hang gliding]], [[paintball]], [[rock climbing]], [[backpacking (wilderness)|backpacking]], [[canyoning]], [[caving]], [[BASE jumping]] and [[adventure tourism]]. |
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==See also== |
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*[[Nude recreation]] |
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==Notes== |
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{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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{{Wiktionarypar2|recreation|fun}} |
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* [http://www.recreation.gov/ Recreation.gov website] |
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* [http://www.nrpa.org/ National Recreation and Park Association website] |
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* [http://www.wrpatoday.org/ Washington State Professional Recreation website] |
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* [http://www.smartken.com/ A list of Hobbies and Recreations] |
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* [http://www.hobbieslist.com/ List of recreational hobbies] |
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[[Category:Recreation| ]] |
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[[de:Erholung]] |
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[[es:Diversión]] |
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[[fa:تفریحات]] |
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[[fr:Loisir]] |
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[[hr:Zabava]] |
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[[id:Rekreasi]] |
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[[ia:Recreation]] |
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[[he:פנאי]] |
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[[ms:Rekreasi]] |
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[[nl:Recreatie]] |
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[[ja:レクリエーション]] |
[[ja:レクリエーション]] |
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[[pl:Rekreacja]] |
[[pl:Rekreacja]] |
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Revision as of 23:30, 6 September 2007
Recreation or fun is the use of time in a manner designed for therapeutic refreshment of one's body or mind. While leisure is more likely a form of entertainment or rest, recreation is active for the participant but in a refreshing and diverting manner. As people in the world's wealthier regions lead increasingly sedentary life styles, the need for recreation has increased. The rise of so called active vacations exemplifies this trend.
General description
Recreation, play, and fun are not the preserve of humans. Play is essential for the development of skills, the most basic of which are motor skills in young creatures.[1]
The choice of hours for recreation is, for employees, restricted by the requirements of, and agreements with, the employer (working time), and for students by school hours. For people with their own business it is also restricted by the requirements of the work, such as the opening hours of the business based on wishes of customers, laws, and customs.
The weekend is usually a time for recreation, perhaps because in Judeo-Christian and Muslim cultures the weekend Sabbath is "the day of rest". Holidays are also a common time for recreation, though recreation may take place at virtually any time. Recreation commonly occurs during an individual's discretionary, or free, time.
Traditionally Olympics, music and dance serve as recreation in many cultures, as do sports, hobbies, games and tourism. On the other hand, watching TV, playing video games, and listening to music are common forms of leisure.[2]
Legal restrictions
Some recreational activities are made illegal in many jurisdictions because of the perceived immorality of certain forms of "fun". These include gambling, using drugs, some forms of sex, viewing or producing erotica/pornography, and some forms of dancing (such as belly dance), or even all dancing (see Footloose, Taliban). Often one form of an activity is viewed as immoral by a culture while other forms are viewed as acceptable. For example, certain forms of sexual activities have been outlawed in certain regions, such as prohibitions against sodomy in parts of the United States (though the Supreme Court recently ruled such laws unconstitutional in the Lawrence v. Texas case), while other forms of sex are acceptable. Another example is recreational drug use. In most of the world, responsible alcohol consumption, a form of recreational drug use is legal and acceptable by most people's moral standards. This is probably because alcohol has traditionally been in wide use.<ref>{{cite web|url=
- ^ Alex Hawes (January/February, 1996). "Jungle Gyms: The Evolution of Animal Play". Zoogoer. Retrieved 2007-06-14.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Wildland Recreation Management: Module One: Meanings, Concepts, and Values". Parks and Recreation Management Program, Arizona State University. 2000. Retrieved 2007-06-14.