THE STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS OF LEISURE

MANOL RIBOV

 

Abstract

Leisure has a unique nature, different from the structure and meaning of the other spheres of life. It includes reaction-concerned activities and generates positive emotions for those, who take part in it. The different manifestations of leisure, such as game, sport, recreation and tourism, could be met in almost all human societies. And they are of an extremely great significance of people’s lives.
The modern understanding of leisure emphasizes on the attitude or perception of freedom, satisfaction and emotions. According to the modern concept, the intensive human experiences are being defined as a “transfusion”, i.e. as a complete devotion of the leisure participant to her/his activity or involvement. Another approach in research of leisure is to regard it as an activity. The main advantage of this approach is its objectivity and impartiality. The later is expressed in the possibility to quantatively define and compare the activities included in leisure. Leisure is this certain, non-engaging and discretion period of time, which remains after the completion of one’s work duties and home chores, as well as after the time needed for covering of some personal needs, and which in no way resembles the employment activity.
Fairly and objectively regarded, between work time and leisure exists a deep and organic connection. They could not be opposed to each other, as in leisure one can restore her/his labor potential and thus is being prepared for the labor process. And the work time arises and creates the conditions and preconditions for the leisure’s nature and contents. In leisure, a human regains the life energy spent in work; she/he recreates herself/himself and achieves a further development of her/his individual abilities. All theses, however, depend both on the quantative scale and the possibilities for satisfying of necessities by the work-earned income. In this regard, work time can be considered as an estimate of labor product value, and just similarly leisure is a measure for the society’s progress and the freedom of the individuals.

 

Key words

leisure and attitude to leisure, leisure activities, leisure a as a time-period, leisure economics

 

References

Minzberg, H. Understanding Leisure, New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1995, p.33.

Brown, W. Leisure and Freedom of Personality, New York: Mc Graw – Hill Book Co, 1998, p.34.

Likert, R., Leisure Activities, New York: Macmillan Publishing Co, 1995, p. 92.

 

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