1. Chapter 10: How Americans Spend Their Leisure Time
American Culture
Chapter 10: How Americans Spend Their Leisure Time

2. Sports and American Values
Sports are a reflection of society
Organized sports may have a serious social purpose
Most popular sports are:
Football
Basketball
Baseball
Soccer

3. Sports and American Values
Equality of opportunity
People from different racial, ethnic backgrounds can compete at same level
Football, basketball – African American
Baseball – Latino, Hispanic
Competition
Learning how to “win” in life
Taught from an early age

4. Sports and American Values
Hard Work
Never give up
Amateur and Professional Sports are used to inspire and reinforce basic American values

5. Competition Carried to Extreme
Some people feel that the desire to “win” at all cost may weaken American values
In extremes, can lead to disorder and violence
Many are critical of the attitudes of coaches
Encourage fighting
Hate losing (losers)
However, there is still a tradition of “honorable defeat” – losing to an opponent who played well.

6. Competition Carried to Extreme
Pressure to succeed can lead to violence in American sports – injuries are common
Most Americans would say competition strengthens national character
Lack of competition would lead to laziness and vice
Too much money in sports – less about loyalty to fans
Pressure to win may also lead to drug use (against the law and American values)

7. Recreation: A Time for Self- Improvement
“Recreation” – generally not “competitive”
Tennis
Jogging
Skiing
“work hard, play hard”
Physical fitness is important to many people
Working out
Swimming
Squash
Racquetball
Aerobics
Marathons

8. Recreation: A Time for Self- Improvement
Americans often have difficulty “relaxing” in their leisure time
Physical activity can be mentally relaxing
Self- improvement – try to improve physical performance
Also “non-physical” activities aimed at self improvement
Hobbies
Handicrafts
Bird-watching
etc

9. Recreation: A Time for Self- Improvement
“Self reliance” is also important to some
Adventure travel
Mountain biking
Rock climbing
Bungee jumping
Skydiving
Etc
Also “soft-adventures” for older people

10. Health and Fitness Not all Americans are physically fit
2/3 are overweight (bad diet)
1/5 obese
2nd biggest cause of “preventable” death
Government is educating people to eat better foods and do more exercise

11. Health and Fitness Many Americans try many different diets
Government has forced food makers to clearly state ingredients of food
However, many still eat what they want when they want it
“Culture of over indulgence” reinforced by mass media. Part of American life
Preference for junk food / fast food

12. The Impact of Television
The general population has gotten heavier, but their “ideals” have gotten slimmer
Insecurity – eating disorders
Also, people who watch a lot of TV do less exercise
“Couch potatoes”
Endless TV programming

13. The Impact of Television
Average TV is on 6 hours per day
Children may spend 24 hours per week watching TV
High levels of childhood obesity
Poor performance in school
Lowered attention span (channel surfing)
Exposure to inappropriate media

14. The Impact of Television
Alternatives include
History channel
Discovery
Science Channel
But most kids prefer MTV, HBO
Government wants more regulation of content
Others say responsibility is the parents, but many work full time.
TVs in bedrooms

15. The Impact of the Internet
Surfing the net – new kinds of leisure activities
Chat rooms
Instant messaging
Many parents are worried about exposure
Regulation of internet?
Dangers to children

16. The Impact of the Internet
Regulation would stifle growth of the internet and development of new technology eg. Wireless
“Always accessible” via cell phone, SMS etc has impact on ability to relax
Can’t get away from work
Change in law to increase statutory vacations
Most Americans fell they don’t have enough leisure time