America’s leisure activities varied considerably in the late 19th century and early 20th century depending on gender, class, and race. The upper-class boasted in elite theaters, museums, and concert halls while the middle class’ leisure activities consisted of organized sports, school clubs, and saloons, but in their own cultural neighborhood. Gender also played a role in the types of leisure activities that people were involved in. Males, usually single or immigrants gathered in saloons, dance halls, gambling facilities, and race tracks to relax. Women tended to mingle at church functions or socialize with friends and family (Mintz, 2007).
The beginning of the new century brought about a new admiration for dancing, attending amusement parks, and organized professional sports. The young sought out dance halls and movie theaters to escape parental control and to have liberty to mingle with the opposite sex. The amusement parks, such as Coney Island, attracted those seeking excitement. “It’s informality and sheer excitement attracted people of every class” (Mintz, 2007).
In the early 20th century, many spectators flocked to attend professional sporting events such as baseball, football, and boxing. People were not only interested in watching these activities professionally, but were also participating in them on an amateur level and in high schools and colleges. By 1915, the upsurge of these commercialized recreational activities transformed American culture and the way Americans intermingled regardless of gender, class or race.
Mintz, S. (2007). Commercialized Leisure. Digital History. Retrieved February 25, 2011
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