27 Comments
Arjana Begzati
1/29/2014 12:09:24 pm
With the changes that came in the 19th century, people's lives were changed greatly. Industrialization had created a different way to support the society. Labor had become specialized for the ordinary workers and higher classes too saw a change in their working style. Labor unions were there to assure and ask for good working conditions with satisfying wages and enough free time. This increase in welfare and free time was what changed the concept of leisure. Now people could distinct their working time and free time, which was not the case when work was a much greater daily life factor, commonly even part of their home. With the clear line between work and leisure time, the request for activities increased. The establishment of many more theaters, sport events, movie theaters and parks was not hard in the urban society, and so it came to be that many ways to spend ones free time developed in the cities. All this increase in actives was important to the society, since leisure time was now available and part of their lives for most people, which meant that the development of ways to spend that free time was essential to keep up "dynamic enough" lifestyle.
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McCall Etl
2/3/2014 02:04:14 am
This is a great post and you bring up some very good points. Can you imagine if none of these things existed today? I would be way more bored than I already am!
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Timmi Keisel
2/3/2014 06:10:22 am
I agree that Arjana answered very well! And I can't even imagine life without all these activities. I know I for one take leisure for granted.
Luke Stewart
2/3/2014 02:32:14 am
I like this answer! It is hard to imagine what life would be like without leisure activities and hobbies! Great answer!
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Rachel Frantz
2/3/2014 08:33:19 am
Great answer Arjana! I really like your concluding sentence. I agree that the urban society made it easy for leisure activities to emerge and develop.
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Keeya Marquez
2/1/2014 12:05:22 pm
The U.S. society was greatly changing, especially in the areas of work. By 1900, on average Americans under sixty hours a week. Meaning, much of the country had a great deal of time on their hands, with nothing to do. Thus, the increase in leisure activities began. In the past, people had considered leisure time only for the lazy, however this idea was changing. People began to enjoy movies, novels, spectator sports, music, even amusement parks. This new leisure was very important, as it represented the changing and improving society. As Simon Patten stated, the new industrial society allowed wealth to grow and people to indulge in the things they enjoy, making people happier.
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Arjana Begzati
2/2/2014 03:28:50 am
Very good, precise answer Keeya!! I think it is interesting that before that time, leisure was something for the lazy only. Also, you chose a very nice saying for the end.
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Timmi Keisel
2/3/2014 06:08:50 am
After the Civil War, so many things about America were changing. One major change was the outlook on leisure. Before this time, the only people who could afford not to work full time were the opulent; however, between 1860 and 1900, working hours decreased dramatically, and new concepts like paid vacation were coming into play. Americans had much time on their hands and were looking for ways to spend it. Although many new activities were created, many were distinguished to certain groups. For example, watching/playing sports like baseball and basketball was an activity ordinarily for men. Women partook in activities such as luncheons and shopping. Other places like restaurants and theaters sometimes specialized for one ethnic group. Household activities like reading could be afforded now too with “dime novels.” Parks for more calm activities were starting to be created also; one example of this is Central Park. Parks for play and amusement like Coney Island and Dreamland were introduced also. During the late 1800’s and early 1900’s seemed to be the time when America got its legacy as such a great place to be and baseball getting the title as “America’s past time.” This time period is when so many people were able to enjoy not spending a good percentage of the day working hard in a factory. Leisure was a newfound privilege that is now taken way too much for granted.
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Rachel Frantz
2/3/2014 08:23:01 am
I like how you brought up the fact that leisure was specialized for people based on both gender and ethnicity. I especially agree that leisure is something people take for granted today I know I definitely don't appreciate it as much as I should.
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Sabrina Lousberg
2/3/2014 12:01:14 pm
I agree that leisure was way more important back then compared to now. I know that I take leisure for granted way more than I should. Great answer
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Kirsten Comstock
2/3/2014 12:12:46 pm
I agree with you, Sabrina, and Rachel when you all say that leisure is taken for granted today and it is truly a shame on our part. I think we would all have a very hard time if we didn't get the privileges that we have in today's society. This is a great answer!
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Mr. C
2/6/2014 06:51:02 am
This is a strong answer. I like how you brought up the role of women in the cultural/economic shift.
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Rachel Frantz
2/3/2014 08:19:54 am
The new urban environment brought about much change. This change caused a middle class to emerge. Before the nineteenth century you had either the rich or the poor there really wasn’t much of an, “Average Joe”. However, between 1860 and 1900 people began to have better working conditions and more free time. The labor unions were a huge driving force behind this change. The wealthy were no longer the only ones who could afford leisure. Leisure became an opportunity for this new middle class too. This led to the creation of theaters, department stores, and sporting events. You even began to see new sports emerging such as basketball. Novels also became cheaper allowing for individuals to read in their free time. At this point in history leisure time was something of great value and importance. Leisure allowed for people to escape from their working environments and relax. This new idea of leisure brought about a sense of freedom. I think the freedom associated with leisure is one aspect that made it so alluring to Americans at this time. Today leisure still plays a significant role in a country founded on the ideals of freedom.
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Megan Chintala
2/3/2014 10:43:04 am
Great input Rachel!! I would definitely agree that leisure time was something of great value and importance to these people at the time. What would you consider leisure time at this day and age?
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Megan Chintala
2/3/2014 10:37:37 am
Members of the urban middle and professional classes had large of amounts of time during which they were not at work or doing something where they were suppose to be. So what were they suppose to do in that time. During Mid 1800s there wasn't a whole lot to do. But when people were sitting around doing nothing, things started to come about. These people began to create things to do, in which they enjoyed and liked to do. Something most of us take for granted. Leisure. This was a big thing for people come the 1900's. They weren't having to work all these hours in a week. They were getting paid vacation time. So people would go out and watch a baseball game, or a basketball game, go to a comedy show, or they could go to the circus. Leisure was a big thing for these people. They had the time of their life when they got to get away for awhile and enjoy life. But some people didn't always consider leisure as getting away from home. "Dime novels" was also a big. People would go out and get books and take them home, sit back, and read their "dime novel." Anybody in this world has a different type of leisure. And you didn't always have to be "rich" to be able to do these things. Central Park was a very good example for not so rich people to go and enjoy. You could do anything you wanted. There are different people, who consider different things a leisure. I believe leisure was something that helped the urban environment. People were more happy and enjoyed life instead of always being stuck and work and hating life. It's only a leisure if you make it one as well.
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Elayna Muller
2/3/2014 10:58:32 am
Do you think we are still seeing this today? Personally, I think America has become to absorbed in what entertains them and makes them happy that we forget about the more important things. Do you suppose that increasing "leisure time" was the reason crime rate went up?
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Sabrina Lousberg
2/3/2014 12:03:22 pm
Elayna I agree with you that Americans now are more absorbed with things that entertain and make them happy to remember the truly important things in life. Good question.
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Sabrina Lousberg
2/3/2014 11:18:43 am
After the Civil War, an urban environment was emerging in America. This new environment brought a lot of change with it. Before this time period, there were only two classes of people, the wealthy and poor. One of the changes brought on by the new urban environment was a middle class. Between 1860 and 1900 working conditions started to improve, working hours began to decrease, and many new concepts were being introduced into the work field. This allowed not only the wealthy people to enjoy leisure time, it also allowed the middle class and some poor people to enjoy some leisure time. Theaters, department stores, and sporting events such as baseball and basketball were being introduced. Men usually tended to attend more of the sporting events and the women spent their time shopping or attending plays. Families could also afford to read in their free time by purchasing “dime novels”. The “dime novels” made reading cheaper for everyone. Leisure allowed people of all classes to take a break from working and really just relax. Leisure time was greatly valued during this time period. Although leisure was of great importance in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it is taken for granted more and more now a days.
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Maddy Vogel
2/3/2014 12:08:03 pm
Sabrina, great post! I like how you mentioned the gender stereotypes associated with leisure activities. Isn't it funny how those roles are still somewhat seen today? And although we may lead busy lives, leisure and entertainment are still valued, in my opinion. Maybe someday they'll be writing about the 2010s in textbooks saying these years were the true years of entertainment. It's weird to think about, right? Good job!
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Maddy Vogel
2/3/2014 11:57:06 am
In America’s developing years, nothing stayed concrete for long. Industries were changing, laws were being decided, cities were being developed. All in a plight to discover some sort of American identity. A major change taking place in the late 1800s to the early 1900s was the way of the workforce. Unions formed and workers banned together to fight against corporations and industry owners for fair treatment. From this strife came the magic of shorter working days, weekends off, and even paid vacations. And with more free time came the question of leisure. Was it beneficial or only the embodiment of laziness? Simon Patten, an intellectual of the time, would argue that with an industrial economy came the opportunity for the fulfillment of desires, and thus a new face of leisure time began. It was suddenly acceptable, and it soon became a societal norm. As a supply of free time was expanding, so was the demand of entertainment. With the creation of amusement parks, public spaces, motion picture and movie theaters, saloons, sports, and inexpensive literature, people in urban environments began to let their hair down a bit. Suddenly people were having fun and letting go of all the genteel graces of society. These things became important for several reasons. First, leisure activities were new and exciting. Second, they provided stark contrasts to the strife of working life and allowed people to forget about any issues they may be facing. This surely boosted employee moral. Third, entertainment industries were just that, industries. They provided jobs and kept money circulating through the economy. Fourth, America was trying to find its own identity in a world of ancient cultures. Entertainment and leisure were things that could be Americanized. Maybe it is for these reasons that leisure proved not to be a passing fad and is still so important in today’s society.
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Kirsten Comstock
2/3/2014 12:09:26 pm
In the new urban inviornment many things were changing in America. Between 1860 and 1900 people were receiving better working conditions and with that they had more free time to do other fun activities. Before this time there wasn't really a middle class and you were either rich or poor, but because of a huge roll the labor unions played there became a middle class. People were getting payed vacations and other various privileges. Because of leisure, the middle class now had the opportunity to go to activities they never had the opportunity to go to before. For example, they could go to a basketball or baseball game, go to the theatre, or even go out shopping. "Dime Novels" were being purchased for families to read to have as an activity at home. This leisure time became so amazing for working people because they were now able to take some time away from work for themselves and have some free time. They were getting a social life now and having more fun than ever I'm sure. This was a great privilege for the people then and still is a great privilege today.
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Zane Boerner
2/4/2014 02:31:35 am
I really like your answer especially how you said that it is a great privilege for us today, and we have this period to thank for our leisurely privileges!
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McCall Etl
2/3/2014 02:11:42 pm
Leisure became important in the new urban environment because people finally had time - something uncommon before. People needed something to do to relax and have fun in the time they now had. Between 1860 and 1900 the working conditions improved, and hours, weekdays, and vacations were all bettered. These leisure activities were provided to such a wide array of people too. Cheap entertainment came in the form of "Dime Novels." Other entertainment included movies, theater, amusement parks, sports, parks, etc. These things were also important to help America to continue to grow and become better than it already was. With the leisure actually came about more jobs, which was very helpful and necessary considering the rising population of America. Creating leisure activities was so important to keep up with the improving conditions of work. Even today, leisure is widely important. When all the chores and work for the week are done, what else is there to do but watch a good movie or enjoy a good book? Leisure was very important when work was shortened, and that still reigns true today!
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Emily Muller
2/4/2014 01:48:25 am
I love this answer, McCall! Do you think that everyone had leisure?
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McCall Etl
2/4/2014 02:04:42 am
Thanks my dear! I think everyone probably had leisure to an extent, but no I don't. Getting shorter work days and weeks had to be leisure to an extent, but there were probably workers exploited that didn't have the leisure opportunity. Now some people had leisure at their disposal all of the time!
Zane Boerner
2/4/2014 02:27:16 am
During this time Americans began to have more free time, and with this extra time came many new ways to spend it. Department stores, sports, theaters, amusement parks, and new restaurants provided a new way for people to socialize. They could now go out and spend money with friends at malls or go and watch their local basketball or football teams play. If people didn't want to go out they wouldn't have to they could now stay home and read since it was a leisure that was now more affordable. More jobs were also created because of this because now they needed people to work the amusement parks and work in the department stores. All of this was just the start of all of the leisures that we enjoy today.
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Anthony Brandt
2/4/2014 02:40:32 am
Leisure in earlier times was considered unimportant, it was associated with laziness. Simon Patten challenged the assumption that scarcity of goods was normal. He argued that the thought of scarcity could cause value of thrift, self-denial, and restraint. Leisure time was in parks, and watching sports.
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