Spectatorship by color

Nationally, nonwhites participate slightly more than
whites (1.45 to 1.31), a fact due almost entirely to
the greater participation among nonwhites, than whites,
in the South (1.55 to 1.28) and in the West (3.42 to
0.91). In the Northeast and North Central regions,
whites attend outdoor sports events more frequently
than nonwhites. When looked at by sex, these dif-
ferences may be attributed to the nonwhite male,
rather than the nonwhite female. He attends more
than twice as frequently as the nonwhite female. The
nonwhite male participates at a rate which is equal
or greater than that of the white male for each size
of place of residence class for which a comparison
is shown in the table. The nonwhite male rate is
significantly greater than the white male rate incities
of 50,000 to 1 million (table 1.03.03).

Among the population 25 years and over, attendance
at outdoor sports events increases with years of
schooling through those completing high school and
then declines somewhat. Rates decline less in the
North Central region with the highest educational
class, but otherwise, this pattern of increasing fre-
quency of attending outdoor sports events through
the high school group followed by a slight decline is
typical of eachregion. These are datafor the summer,
when there are few college events. During the fall
when football is the principal sport, the participation
rate reaches its highest level with the group com-
pleting 4 years or more of college, the ‘‘old grads”.
The latter association holds for each of the regions
(tables 1.02.03, and 2.02.03).

The percentage attending outdoor sports events
varies little when classified by occupation. Thirty
percent of craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers
attended outdoor sports events during June-August
1960. The percentage of other occupations attending
range down to 20 percent (service workers, including
private service workers).

For the United States as a whole the number of
occasions per person is highest for craftsmen and
foremen (1.77) and next highest for white-collar
workers and laborers (1.51 occasions per person).
The group showing the lowest number of attendances
during this 3-month period were farmworkers (0.91),
followed closely by service workers (1.0). Thus, white
collar, skilled labor, and laborers attend outdoor
sports events more frequently than other occupational
groups. This general pattern is repeated in each
region. Exceptions are a somewhat higher rate for
professional and technical people in the North Central
region and managers in the South, but the farmworkers
show a low rate of participation for all regions (table
1.02.03). .

In urban places the above pattern is followed. One
exception is a slightly high rate of participation
among professional and technical workers in large
cities over 1 million, and somewhat higher participa-
tion levels for managers and officials in small urban
places (less than 50,000). Otherwise, the basic pat-
tern of higher levels of participation for white-collar
workers, skilled workers, and laborers, is repeated.
However, in rural territory, there is low variation
among occupations and, of course, a lower overall
participation level (1.04) for the rural population as

56

a whole. As we have seen, the highest participation
level for the rural population is in rural parts of
standard metropolitan areas, as compared with other
rural areas. In general, place of residence more
significantly conditions attendance at outdoor sports
events than occupation (table 1.03.03).

Both male and female rates are directly associated
with health, as reported by the respondent. This is
consistent for each major age group, although females
45 to 65 years of age who report ‘‘poor’’ health
participate considerably more frequently (1.14 days
per person) than those who report ‘fair’ or ‘good’?
health (0.42 and 0.66), However, such small variations
may be due to sampling. Since watching sports events
makes a mild physical demand, it is somewhat
surprising that health is as highly associated with
attendance at outdoor srorts events as is the case
(table 1.04.03).

Another test between physical ability and attendance
at outdoor sports events may be examined with infor-
mation on impairments. Persons with no impairments
participate more frequently than those who have
impairments that are not limiting, and these, in turn,
participate more than those with limiting impairments.
The differences, particularly in the 18 to 44 age
group—the active years—are not great, the rate for
those with no impairments being 1.53 compared with
1,21 for those who have limiting impairments (table
1.04.03),

Preferences for spectator sports

Attending outdoor sports events shares fifth place
in the preference order with walking for pleasure and
boating (other than sailing and canoeing). Eleven
percent of the population 12 years of age and over
expresses “‘some’’ preference for attending outdoor
sports. This is one-third of the percentage ex-
pressing a preference for such popular outdoor ac-
tivities as fishing and picnicking (table 1.21).

In terms of time available the percentage expressing
a preference for attending outdoor sports events is
low (1 or 2 percent). The percentage is higher for
weekend trip and for periods of 2 or 3 hours than for
the other alternatives (vacation and day’s outing).

For the United States as a whole, larger per-
centages of persons living in small urban places
(2,500 to 50,000 population) express a preference for
attending outdoor sports events (14 percent) than other
classes. This is true, also for each of the regions
except the North Central, the percentage ranging from
18 percent to 15 percent. In the North Central States,
the rural population outside SMA areas more fre-
quently prefer (18 percent) to attend sports events,
than inhabitants of other North Central place of
residence classes. Rural areas of the South and West
register the lowest percentage preferences for at-
tending sports events, perhaps because such events
are less accessible (table 1.17).

Fifteen percent of males, but only 8 percent females,
express a general preference for attending sports
events. As they become older males and females
develop different preferences. Among males the
percentage expressing a preference for attending
sports events increases with age to 65 years (from



person, In each region the winter season is the
peak season for walking except in the West, where
the spring is the highest. The annual participation
for regions other than the Northeast are about the
same, the South being slightly lower (tables 1.01,
2.01, 3.01, and 4.01).

Walking for pleasure may be done without expense,
at any time, for long or short periods. Facilities
are always available and accessible, although some
streets and byways undoubtedly are more desirable
than others, and inclement weather may detract
from one’s pleasure, In days per person during the
summer 1960, only swimming and driving for pleasure
exceeded the rate of 4.34 occasions per person of
walking for pleasure. Participation was the greatest
in the Northeast (6.46) but the remaining regions
were about equal (3.18 to 3.88). (See table 1.02.17.)

Females engage on the average about one occasion
more than males during the summer. In each region
females engage more than males; in the West,
females engage considerably more than males (4.86
to 2.74 days per person). The relation between age
and walking for pleasure varies with sex. Males
engage more heavily at the extremes of the age
distribution (that is, both young and old) and less
in middle ages (25 to 44), while females engage more
heavily in the younger ages and less as the female
grows older (the rate changing from 9.6 for the 12-17
year female group to 2.7 for the 65 and over group).
(See table 1.02.17.)

This difference in participation in walking for
pleasure, by age-sex is fairly consistent for the
four regions.

Perhaps the infirmities of age cause older females
to reduce participation, while males increase the
amount they walk as they enter the retirement period.
There is no evidence available to support the inference
that the heavier mortality among the nonwalkers leaves
a greater concentration of walkers in the older ages
among males, but the ‘idea seems reasonable.

The heavier rate of walking for pleasure among
the residents of the Northeast is reflected both in
the rate for large urban places (over 1 million
population) and among the rural population, both
groups having higher participation rates than com-
parable groups in other regions.

For the United States as a whole, the urban popu-
lation, particularily in cities of over 1 million,
engage much more heavily in walking for pleasure
than do those in other residence classes. The rural
farm class, particularly, reflects a lower participation
rate (table 1.02.17).

For almost every age-sex group, the large urban
place (over 1 million) evidences the greater partici-
pation, Conversely, for almost each age-sex group,
the rural population has the lowest rate of walking
for pleasure. Such a distinct difference must reflect
genuine variations in habit and preference for this
form of outdoor recreation. Such, indeed, is the
case: 17 percent of residents in cities over 1 million
express a preference for walking for pleasure,
compared with 6 percent for the rural, non-SMA
population, with other population categories falling
between, Rural people evidently walk enough during
their daily occupations to fill this need (tables
103.17 and 1.17).

47

When examined in terms of occupation and size of
place of residence, almost all occupational categories
residing in large urban places register higher partici-
pation in walking for pleasure than do the same
occupational groups living in smaller places. How-
ever, the rates for small urban places (50,000 or
less) are as low or lower than the same occupational
group living in rural territory (particularly pro-
fessionals, craftsmen, white-collar workers, and
managers and officials.)

Taken together, variations among occupational
groups are not great. Farmworkers, reflecting the
lower rural farm rate, are lowest (1.4 days per
person), while professional, technical, and kindred
workers are highest (4.4 days per person). The
remaining occupations group themselves fairly com-
pactly around the mean for all employed persons
of 2.9 days per person (table 1.03.17).

Since size of place of residence appears to be
most strongly associated with walking for pleasure,
we conclude that in large urban places walking for
pleasure provides a form of recreation most suitable
to the circumstances of the large place and the style
of life there, whereas such is not the case for the
smaller urban place or rural areas,

Walking and income

Walking for pleasure is free. We would normally
not expect an association with income. However,
the relationship is U-shaped: high rates of partici-
pation among the low and high income groups, and
lower rates among those in the middle income range.
Each region approximately follows this pattern,
although the low-point is not always clearly in the
middle (table 1.02.17). Neither is it quite so clear
cut when one looks at income by size of place of
residence (table 1.03.17). However, the general
conclusion remains: low and high income groups
walk for pleasure more than the middle classes,

The middle and upper middle income groups, also,
less frequently express a preference for walking
for pleasure than the lower and top income groups
(table 1,18), However, among those expressing a
preference for walking for pleasure within the $6,000
to $9,999 income group, 50 percent say they walk
as much as they would like—compared with 64
percent among all who prefer this activity. Seven-
teen percent of those who prefer walking but do
not walk as much as they would like, give lack of
time as the reason they do not walk as much as
they would like. Those in the middle income group
who prefer walking for pleasure, more frequently
(than other income classes) are restricted because
of lack of time (tables 1.13 and 1.14B).

Education shows very little association with walking
for pleasure below the college-educated group. How-
ever, for the college-educated group, participation
rates step up with years of education (table 1.02.17).

The nonwhite rate (4.93) is slightly higher than the
white (4.27), a significant difference. However, in
the Northeast the white population participates slightly
more than the nonwhite, and the same is true in the
West. Of course, the regional variation in composition
of the nonwhite population, particularly in the West
where the Oriental and other races are about as


instance. Rates in urban places of less than 50,000
population are quite similar (table 1.03.07).

The nonwhite female rate is somewhat less than the
nonwhite male rate (3.9 to 5.9), whereas within the
white population, the female rate (7.1) exceeds the
male rate (6.6) slightly.

Among those aged 25 years or more, the rate of
participation increases with education, from 1.8 days
per person for those with 4 years or less of schooling
to 7.2 days per person for those who have completed
college or more. This association most probably is
linked to income. This national pattern is reproduced
within each region. The North Central States deviate
from it more than any other region. Here the highest
level of participation is reached with the group com-
pleting 3 years of high school and thereafter the rate
declines (table 1.02.07),

There are some differences among occupational
classes. White-collar and professional groups tend
to engage in driving for pleasure at rates higher than
other occupations. Conversely, farmworkers engage
at a much lower rate. The remaining occupational
classes cluster very closely around the mean for all
employed persons aged 14 years and over, 6.76.
Looking at occupations by size of place of residence,
higher participation rates are evident in the small
cities (50,000 and under). There appears to be greater
differences within size of place of residence, but both
appear important in influencing participation in driving
for pleasure (tables 1.02.07, and 1.03.07).

Persons reporting poor health engage much less in
driving for pleasure than those with fair or better
health. Otherwise, the relationship between health by
age and sex and participation is not great (table
1.04.07).

As one would expect for a type of recreation re-
quiring little physical activity, driving for pleasure
is a favorite among those with impairments. The
existence of an impairment only slightly alters the
rate of participation (6.8 versus 6.1). In fact, for
each age group, those whose impairments are not
limiting engage more frequently in driving for pleasure
than those with no impairments, However, those with
impairments which limit activity have somewhat lower
rates than others, although the relationship is not
entirely consistent for each age group. For example,
the age group 45-64 with no impairments participate
at a rate (5.1) almost equal to those with limiting
impairments (5.4), (See table 1.04.07.)

Restrictions on driving for pleasure

More than half of the persons who participate in
driving for pleasure do so as often as they would like.
Those who do not participate as often as they would
like mention only time or money as preventing more
frequent participation, The availability of facilities;
the skill required, and other reasons, are quite minimal
barriers to participation in driving for pleasure.
Thirty-eight percent of the population indicated that
time or money was the reason for not participating
more often. This reason was cited by 52 percent of
the population earning less than $3,000 annually (family
income) while about one-third of the remaining income
classes cite this reason (table 1.13). Consequently,

52

one would judge that money was the more significant
factor for the lower income class, while time p. -
is more significant for the higher income grou,
Table 1.14 shows that a slightly higher percentage
(21 percent) mention time than financial restrictions
(18 percent),

While driving for pleasure ranks first in participa-
tion, it ranks third highest in the preference order,
25 percent of the population indicating ‘‘some” pref-
erence for it as a general outdoor activity. But it
ranks first as a preferred activity when only 2 or
3 hours are available. However, for outing periods
of longer duration (day’s outing, weekend trip, vaca-
tion), driving for pleasure does not hold as high a
position as many other activities (table 1.21).

Participation in driving for pleasure is associated
slightly with a preference for swimming, picnicking,
attending outdoor games and sports, and attending
concerts, etc. Actual participation in driving for
pleasure, also, is correlated with sightseeing (0.36),
attending outdoor sports events (0.27), picnicking
(0.27), walking for pleasure (0.22), swimming (0.20). 3/

These factors may be logically translated into
planning information. Assuming a shorter workday
or more frequent periods of leisure time during the
workweek, driving for pleasure most probably will
increase, particularly during periods when 2-3 hours
are available for leisure. Facilities which require
that one drive from urban centers to engage in such
activities as swimming, picnicking, attending outdoor
games and sports, attending concerts and drama, and
walking for pleasure, certainly will be used. The
positive appeal of automobile driving adds reinforce-
ment to the location of some recreation facilities at
reasonable distances from large cities, rather than
immediately in them.

Distance characteristics of vacations, trips, and
outings, by socioeconomic characteristics, time and
cost characteristics are discussed in chapter 7 and
presented in tables 5.41-5.47.

SIGHTSEEING

We go sightseeing almost six times per person
annually. Although summer is the heaviest sightseeing
season (2,2 occasions per person), ithas no monopoly.
Rates for the other seasons range from 1,38 in the
fall to 1.16 in the spring, thereby spreading the
activity out over the year fairly evenly.

The West has a heavier annual rate (7.5 occasions
per person) than the other regions, with the North
Central following with 6.64 occasions per person,
The South and the Northeast have 5.11 and 5.09 oc-
casions per person annually. In each region the
summer has a slightly higher participation than other
seasons and there is a fairly even distribution through-
out the year, except during the winter season in the
Northeast where the participation is only 0.66 oc-
casions per person—the lowest of any season region
rate. Thus, in general, there is very little regional

These coefficients of correlation are computed from data for
the summer survey 1960. A coefficient of 0.04 or greater is
significantly greater than zero at the 0.01 level of signifi-
cance. See table 3C, oppendix A.



attention should be devoted to the safety of the
walkway and it’s freedom from noxious effluvia, such
as smoke or fumes. The safety of the walkway
will encourage participation by those who do not
see or hear well (34.5 persons per thousand are
affected by some type of hearing impairment while
18 persons per thousand are either blind or have
some form of visual impairment. 1/

If the workday is shortened to add to the available
leisure time during 24-hour periods, the incidence
of walking for pleasure most certainly will increase,
for it is suitably engaged in for short periods of
time. Attention to the development of vistas within
cities, to parapets and places with a view, and to
the construction of points of interest which will
draw people to them along walks or which may
be viewed while walking past, most certainly will
acommodate the needs of future urban populations.

NATURE WALKS

Annually the population 12 years of age and over
goes on 2.7 nature walks per person. These are
evenly distributed throughout the year, with slightly
more participation in the summer. Like walking
and driving for pleasure, nature walking is an annual
rather than a seasonal activity.

The regions share equally in this activity, there
being little difference in the annual days per person.
However, there is a region by season relationship
which appears to rest upon climate. The Northeast,
for example, has heaviest participation in summer
(1.14 occasions per person) and lowest in winter
(0.8 occasions per person). The North Central
region, with hot summers and severe winters, has
heaviest participation fall and spring (0.77 and 0.72).
In the South, with hot summers, the heaviest partici-
pation is during winter (0.55 for summer and 1.01
for winter). The West has slightly heavier partici-
pation in the fall, but generally, the rate is even
throughout the year (tables 1.01, 2.01, 3.01, and
4,01),

Nature walks to observe nature, collect specimens,
etc., were taken by 14 percent of the population
12 years of age and over during summer 1960.
This was an average of 0.75 occasions per person,
giving nature walks eleventh rank among outdoor
activities (table 1.02.12),

The Northeastern region engages in nature walks
at a rate (1.14B) about twice that of other regions.
Otherwise the regions vary little during summer.
Approximately the same proportion of the population
in the Northeast engages in nature walks as in other
regions, but those who engage in the Northeast
do so more frequently than is the case in other
regions. For example, the occasions per participant
is 7.5 for the Northeastern region as compared with
5 occasions per participant in the South (table 1.02.12).

Across the Nation the youth go nature walking
more often than other age groups. Boys and girls

“Lovise E. Bollo, ‘Impairments by Type, Sex, and Age, United
States July !957-June 1958,"” Health Statistics from the U.S.
National Health Survey, Series B-9. Washington: U.S. De-
Partment of Health, Education, and Welfare, 1959.

49

aged 12 to 17 years accounted for about one-third
of all nature walks during summer 1960. Also

* frequent participants are adults over 45 years of

age. The male rate is similar to the female, and
the highest participation is among Northeastern males,
The rate in the West for older ages tends to increase,
In the South and the North Central region, the rate
declines with age. Under age 25 the male rate is
greater than the female. However, females in the
older ages engage at a higher rate than do males
in corresponding age groups (table 1.02.12).

Differences are small between size of place of
residence classes. In each residence class, both
male and female in the younger ages participate
more heavily than older age groups. Among males
in urban places, the rate declines with age. However,
the rural male over 45 years participates somewhat
more frequently than his urban counterpart, as also
does the rural female. Among females in large
cities (over 1 million) andinrural areas, participation
is somewhat greater among older ages. The male
between 25 and 44 years of age, wherever he lives,
goes nature walking less than any other age-sex
group (table 1.03.12).

In general, participation rates increase with income,
but the relationship is weak. Inthe West, for example,
the highest participating group are families with
income between $3,000 to $4,500, andthe rate declines
for higher income groups. There is another variation
in the Northeast where heaviest participation is
observed in the highest income class, but the other
income classes hover more closely about the mean
of 1.14 days per person for this region than others
(table 1.02.12),

Participation is more general throughout all income
classes who live in cities over 1 million than is the
case in smaller urban places. In small cities (50,000
population or less), participation tends to increase
with income. In rural areas participation increases
to a peak with the $4,500 to $6,000 income class
and then declines for the next higher income class
but remains fairly constant thereafter (table 1.03.12).

The relationship between participation and income
raises more questions than it resolves. Participation
does not depend on income in the sense that more
discretionary income provides more freedom to pay
fees, etc, Apparently greater leisure for higher
income groups and older, retired persons brings
about the higher rate of participation observed for
these groups, When asked the reason for not going
on nature walks more often, one-third of those with
a preference for nature walks mentioned a lack of
time, In large urban places, on the other hand,
apparently organizations and educational institutions
stimulate the activity (table 1.14B),

Whites participate at a rate about twice that of
nonwhites. This is not true, however, in the West
where the white and nonwhite rates are equal.
Perhaps this reflects the difference in the composition
of the nonwhite group in the West as compared with
the remainder of the Nation (table 1.02.12).

The nonwhite living in large metropolitan places
of over 1 million participate more heavily than non-
whites living elsewhere. The nonwhite rate is about
one-half that of the white in these cities, whereas


numerous as the Negro, affects this participation
pattern, The Western nonwhite and the southern
white have the lowest participation rates (table
1.02.17).

Days per person for females is greater than for
males in each size of place of residence class,
However, among nonwhites in large cities and small
cities (SMA’s under 1 million), the male rate is
superior (table 1.03.17).

Walking for pleasure requires no equipment, special
or unusual facilities, nor payment of fees. One
merely walks, observes the passing scene, perhaps
greets acquaintances, and moves on, One may engage
during daylight hours or at night. Dry weather and
a dry terrain, perhaps, are preferred to wet, and
excessive cold might detract from one’s pleasure,
but the level of physical activity required is low
to moderate, depending upon one’s speed or distance,
and no special skills are needed beyond those avail~
able to all normally endowed persons. One might
usually devote up to a few hours at a time to walking,
but up to a day is possible, under our definition,
without a pack. One judges that the level of status
achievement resulting from walking for pleasure is
low, compared with some other recreation activities,
Except for the mental stimulation gained from observ-
ing the passing scene, the level of learning gained
from walking is low, unless the activity is specifically
for other purposes (such as to observe nature which
we classify as nature walks). Motivations may range
over a wide variety of purposes: to be inthe company
of a friend, to walk the dog, because the doctor
ordered it, to observe the buildings or the street
scene, to reach a spot for a special activity, to
settle one’s supper, or to stimulate one’s circulation.

Walking and health

Everyone says walking is good for one’s health.
The evidence favors this belief. Particularily among
females does the rate decline according to the persons’
report of the state of his health (6 occasions per
person for females reporting excellent health to 2.5
for females reporting poor health.) The percent
participating declines steadily as health is assessed
excellent to poor for both male and female. However,
for males 65 years and over the rate of participation
is fairly level across these health classes, suggesting
that some people in poor health walk a great deal
(table 1.04.17).

Persons who have impairments which are not
limiting engage in walking for pleasure more than
those with no impairments. This is especially true
for the 45 to 64 year age group. Even those with
limiting impairments walk at a rate only slightly
less than the national average (table 1.04.17).

Considering occupation by region, walking for
pleasure appears to vary more between regions than
it does between occupations, thus adding additional
weight to the environmental hypothesis suggested
above (table 1.02.17).

Even though the population engages fairly heavily
in walking for pleasure, it ranks approximately in
fifth position in the preference order. Swimming,
fishing, picnicking, sightseeing, and driving for
pleasure, all are mentioned more frequently than

48

walking for pleasure. It is mentioned seldom as
something one would prefer to do on a vacation,
or during a weekend trip or even a day’s outing.
However, when only 2 or 3 hours are available,
walking for pleasure, along with swimming, is the
second ranking activity mentioned, being next in
popularity to driving for pleasure (mentioned by
15 percent). (See table 1.21.)

As one would expect from the higher participation
rates in large cities, preferences are more frequent
among those residing in large cities over a million
(17 percent expressing some preference for walking
for pleasure) than other residence classes. Con-
versely, the percentage is lowest among those living
in rural areas. This preference order is repeated
for size of place of residence classes by region.
However, in the Northeast and in the South, slightly
higher frequencies express preference for walking
for pleasure than in the other two regions. (Note
that actual participation in the South is relatively
less.) Similar to corresponding participation rates,
the percent of males preferring walking for pleasure,
increases with age. Among females, however, it will
be recalled, participation rates decline with age.
However, the female’s preference order increases
slightly with age, indicating that older females enjoy
thinking of themselves as taking a stroll, even though
they may not often do so (table 1.17).

The median age of males expressing a preference
for walking for pleasure in almost 55 years—
considerably higher than the median age for many
other activities. The median age for females is
42,5 years (table 1.15).

Persons who are restricted in walking for pleasure
because of time or money have a median family
income of approximately $5,200. Conversely, those
who participate freely have a median family income
of $4,000. Evidently the former is restricted by time
rather than money (table 1.15).

The percentage expressing preference for walking
for pleasure does not vary greatly across occupational
classes. This is generally true for occupations within
each region (table 1.20).

Two-thirds of the population participate as freely in
walking for pleasure as they would like. Time is the
major restricting factor, 17 percent mentioning time
as a reason for not engaging as often as they would
like. The next most often mentioned restriction is
inability because of physical condition, age, etc.
Time is mentioned as a restricting factor slightly
more among females than males (19 percent compared
with 12 percent). (See table 1.14B.)

The preceeding discussion concerns walking for
pleasure during the summer 1960. The pattern of
relationships previously discussed for the summer
period is substantially repeated by the participation
rates for other seasons (tables 2.02.17, 3.02.17,
and 4,02,17).

The above leads to fairly specific inferences on
providing facilities for walking for pleasure within
cities, and, equally as pertinent, to planning facilities
in parks and recreation areas wherever located.
Walking for pleasure is engaged in actively by
urbanites, older persons, and those with infirmities.
In planning walkways to places of interest in any
urban development or redevelopment, particular



(72 percent) while rural residents of SMA’s have the
highest percentage ownership (94 percent). More
technically, these percentages are the proportion of
the sample reporting an automobile in the household;
no record was made of households with two motor ve-
hicles; in some cases the same automobile might be
reported by two respondents in the same household, As
a consequence, the data are not intended for use in esti-
mating the number of vehicles 2/ (tables 5.47, 5.48).

Driving for pleasure is the most frequently engaged
in summer outdoor activity: there were 6.68 occasions
per person during the summer of 1960. Fifty-two
percent of the population 12 years of age and over

ted one or more occasions during the summer
(table 1.02.07).

The percentage participating during the summer is
approximately the same for all regions: arangeof45
percent in the South to 58 percent inthe North Central
States, Similarly, the days per person is lower for the
South and West (5.5 and 5.2, respectively) andis highest
in the North Central States (8 days per person). One
reason for heavier participation in the North Central
States, than other regions, appears to be more frequent
participation there among females, age 18 to 24 years,
and more frequent participation among residents of
urban centers, when each age group is compared with
its counterpart in other regions (table 1.02.07).

In general, males and females, 18-24 years, par-
ticipate much more actively in each region than other
age-sex groups. With a few exceptions, driving for
pleasure is the most frequently engaged in activity
for each age-sex group. Exceptions are playing out~
door games, bicycling and swimming which are more
frequent activities among 12 to 17 year olds, and
walking for pleasure which is more frequent among
females 12-17 years and males 65 and over. Con-
sequently, it is reasonable to conclude that automobile
driving for pleasure consumes more time, in the ag-
gregate, than any other outdoor activity and is more
universal across age-sex groups than any other (table
1,02,07).

When considered by age, participation increases
from 7.9 days per person for 12 to 17 year old males
to 12.2 days for the 18-24 year old males, and declines
thereafter with each older age group. This pattern is
generally consistent across regions and for both
sexes, Courtship may have an effect upon the peak
among the 18 to 24 year olds (table 1.02.07).

When age and sex are considered by size of place of
residence, this general pattern prevails with few
variations. The highest rates are registered by the
18 to 24 year olds in small cities (urban places 2,500
to 50,000 population). In fact, 39 percent of outdoor
activity reported by males of this age group within
small cities was driving for pleasure; this compares
with 20 percent for all ages in the population as a
whole, Evidently, in addition to the courtship ex-
planation (which motivation should be equally strong
in other size of place of residence classes), fewer
alternatives to driving for pleasure in these urban
places attract activé young people. As the accom-
panying table indicates, an even larger percentage of
occasions of females in these ages is spent driving.
2/The question wos: ‘Do you (or anyone in your family living

here) own an automobile?”

51

Toble 16. ing for pleasure as a percentage of all
reported outdoor recreation activity for the total
population, 12 years ond older, and males and
females 18-24 years by size of place of
residence, June-August, 1961

National Recreation Survey Dato

18-24 years
all Moles Females
SMA:
ever 1 nillion . 19 18 21
‘inder 1 million. 23 % 7
Other urban . 23 39 31
Rural (in and out of SMA)... 19 24 4)

Ownership or availability of an automobile implies
an income above some minimum, as has been men-
tioned. Some skill is required to operate a vehicle,
but one may ride as a passenger without possessing
this skill; consequently, invalids, older persons, and
children who have not reached the legal age to possess.
a driver’s license may be expected to engage. Par-
ticipation requires little or no physical activity onthe
part of the passenger and little on the part of the
driver (when compared, say, to swimming). Con-
sequently, the resistance to some activities due to
inertia or laziness, should not affect participation in
driving for pleasure. Perhaps the positive incentives
include its effortlessness as well as interest inseeing
new and varied scenes as one drives along, the mod-
erate excitement of placing one’s self in a new situa-
tion, the interest in going to a place and doing some-
thing there, and the status achieved through being seen
in the automobile and being able after the event to
report to one’s friends what one observed,

Driving and income

Participation rates increase with income. It is
highest for the group making $10,000 to $15,000 per
year, and the rate declines for the highest income
class, All four regions generally share this pattern,
with the North Central region having rates which are
greater than comparable rates by income in other
regions (table 1.02.07).

The general trend of increasing participation with
income up to a peak in the second or third highest in-
come class is repeated in each place of residence
class, as well as each region. Participation is highest
in the small urban place (8.55 days per person), and
is lowest in the rural areas (5.7 per person). (See
table 1.03.07.)

The rate for whites (6.9 days per person during
summer 1960) exceeds the nonwhite rate (4.9 days per
person). The difference between them is greatest in
the Northeast, where the white rate exceeds the nan-
white by 3.3 occasions during the summer. In the
North Central States and West the rates are quite
similar (table 1.02.07).

However, participation differences between white
and nonwhite are greater by size of place of residence.
The largest difference is for urban places of 50,000
to 1,000,000; the next greatest difference is observed
in rural areas, the white rate being greater in each



CHAPTER SIX

PASSIVE OUTDOOR PURSUITS

Activities discussed in this chapter chiefly are
passive activities, requiring a low output of energy,
even though they take place outdoors, Several of
them depend upon a money income, and others
need an urban environment for an opportunity to
engage. Several of them might be called ‘road
culture activities,” for they typically require auto-
mobile travel.

Driving for pleasure, with a weight of 0.73 toward
the total ‘passive’? score presented in table 4,
appendix A, and sightseeing (0.70) contribute most
to the ‘passive score.’ Other activities receiving
fairly high weights are walking for pleasure (0.53),
Picnicking (0.49), nature walks (0.46), and outdoor
events (0.39). To these is added attending outdoor
concerts and drama, which was not included in the
factor analysis reported in appendix A because of
the relatively low frequency of participation.

The total participation score developed from applying
rates to the days participation in these activities is
the third most predictable score so developed. From
8 percent to 28 percent of the variance in the score
can be accounted for by regression on the various
background characteristics presented in the appendix
A, table 12, Age, urbanization, place of residence,
and heaith, combined, are better predictors of this
score than occupation, education, and income. Age
is the most useful predictor in the Northeastern
States,

As an example, let us examine picnicking. Partici-
pation is higher in large urban places than in smaller
urban places, but also is higher in rural areas.
It appeals to females more than males. Participation
rates increase through the first three classes of
income, but over most of the rest of the income
range, the participation rate is fairly stable, although
this varies somewhat by size of place of residence.
Professional, white collar, and craftsmen occupations
engage more than some other occupations, irrespective
of place of residence. Among those aged 25 and
above, participation increases with years of schooling.
It declines with health, but impairments do not limit
participation in picnicking,

As another example, walking for pleasure is an
annual activity rather than a seasonal one, Females
engage more than males, and the participation rates
are age-related. Residents of large cities participate
more than those who live in rural areas. Both the
low income and the high income groups participate
at rates somewhat higher than those in the middle
income range. Education and occupation have very
little association with walking for pleasure.

Such relationships as these serve not only to
provide a basis for predicting the participation
level in the activity but also suggest the clientele
or ‘public’ for the activity. They tell us, among

43

other things, who do not currently participate, should
we be interested in stimulating them to greater
participation in the activity. They also show who
participate quite frequently, should we be interested
in the characteristics of the market.

Several implications are suggested for meeting
future demand for these activities, but only one or
two of the passive activities present problems in
meeting the demand. Picnic facilities, perhaps, are
the greatest problem, for picnicking is an outdocr
activity most compatible with a large number of
more vigorous, outdoor sports. Providing picnic
areas and facilities adjacent to the lakes and streams,
at scenic points, along roadsides, and in city parks,
particularly for family groups, will meet this demand.
In addition, there are implications for city planning
and sightseeing in the evidence on walking for pleasure,
nature walks, and sightseeing.

PICKNICKING

Taking food together out of doors was enjoyed
by 53 percent of the population during summer
1960, Thus picnicking is the single activity enjoyed
by a larger percentage of people than any other,
although it does not rank highest in total activity-days.
Among the population 12 years of age and over,
each person went on 2.14 picnics during the 3-
month period. Slightly higher percentages went on
picnics in the Northeast (57 percent) and the North
Central region (58 percent), than in the South (43
percent). (See table 1.92.13.)

Although chiefly a summer outdoor activity, pic-
nicking is engaged in to some extent in other seasons:
0.62 occasions per person in the fall and 0.56
oecasions per person in the spring, but only 0.21
in the winter, Fall rates are somewhat greater in
the West than other regions, and winter rates are
greater in the South and West (tables 1.01, 2.01,
3.01, 4.01).

The popularity of picnicking may rest upon its
simplicity and the universal appeal of food, its chief
“raison d’etre.’? Picnics take only brief periods
of time—half day, or an entire day—never more.
There may be a small expenditure in reaching the
site of the picnic, although this may be quite in-
expensive if the picnic area can be reached on foot
or by bus, subway, etc. Other than this expenditure,
no additional cash outlay is required for a picnic.
The food one normally would consume at home is
consumed in the open air, However, one’s capital
outlay for picnicking equipment may be fairly
extensive: stoves, ice chests, picnic table and portable
chairs, thermos jugs, outfitted baskets for food, etc.
On the other hand one may picnic with only a paper
sack and bottled or canned drinks. As with fishing,



choosing sightseeing as a general preference varies
only slightly across regions and across size of place
of residence classes, According to age and sex, sight-
seeing is preferred more by the older than the younger
population, and is favored about twice as frequently
among females than males (tables 1.17, 1.21).

In general, the same relationship holds when sight-
seeing is viewed as a vacation preference or a weekend
preference (tables 1.22, 1.25).

More frequent participation in sightseeing is as-
sociated with preferences for swimming and camping.
However, sightseeing participation is somewhat nega-
tively related to a preference for fishing (table 1.12).

The median age for persons who prefer sightseeing
(as a general preference) is 46.0 years for males and
45.5 years for females, both of these figures being
considerably greater than the median age of all sample
persons (38.0 and 39.0 respectively) (table 1.15).

Those with preference for sightseeing have the same
median family income as the population as a whole
($5,100). However, the median income for those who
participate freely is slightly higher ($5,600) than those
who would like to participate more in sightseeing but
do not for either reasons of time or money ($5,000).
The median years schooling for those who prefer
sightseeing, also, is the same as the Nation asa
whole (10.5) (table 1.15).

About a third of those who prefer sightseeing go
as much as they like. However, 40 percent of the
population who prefer sightseeing do not go as much
as they would like for reasons of a lack of time, 15
percent say lack of money is the reason. Time, then,
is the more significant restriction, Men mention the
time restriction (47 percent) more than women (36

1.14

percent) (table 1-143). tivity which requires a large
block of time. One must travel to the location to view
the buildings, the natural scenery, or the places of
interest. Consequently, most likely a period of time
longer than a day is needed for a sightseeing tour.
One would expect, also, that while the actual partici-
pation for the most part is free, the cost of getting
there in automobile or other conveyance and the need
for free time, would influence its association with
income, as is shown above. Most likely there is a
minimum income requirement for participation. The
physical activity involved in sightseeing is moderate,
for one must stand and walk and move about.

However, the educational and esthetic benefits
derived undoubtedly are associated with training in
observation and are stimulated by interests. Although
opportunities may not always be realized, the pos-
sibilities are great for continuous learning through
sightseeing. The status achieved through sightseeing
undoubtedly is high, for travel not only provides a
basis for conversationally associating oneself with the
strange and different but it also marks one as being
cosmopolitan,

The above characteristics of the activity lead us to
examine some of the motivational bases for sight-
seeing. Undoubtedly, the motivations to sightsee are
similar to those behind other recreation travel, al-
though the two are not necessarily the same. For
example, one may wish to experience a new climate,
to see friends, or to eat unusual foods without also
seeing the sights. But it is quite likely that the

motivations to view the sights are intimately as-
sociated with other motivations which lead one to
travel. Certainly, the desire for change, the desire
to see new things and new places and, perhaps, the
desire to learn about things outside one’s normal and
usual daily experience, provide a stimulus to those
who like to sightsee, 4/

ATTENDING OUTDOOR SPORTS EVENTS

The population attends 3.75 outdoor sports events
annually, These are mostly in summer and fall, the
rate for winter being about one-third that of the peak
summer rate. This seasonal pattern is fairly uniform
in each region, except that the South and West have
heavier participation in the fall than in the summer,
reflecting their busy football season, The winter
season is lowest in each region.

By region the South and West have heavier annual
participation rates than the other two regions, the
highest being the South (4.18) compared with the
lowest, the Northeast (3.22). The principal variation,
however, is across seasons (tables 1.01, 2.01, 3.01
and 4.01).

An outdoor sports event may last from an hour to
5 or 6 hours, but usually the time spent at the more
frequently attended events (baseball, football, etc.) is
2 to 3 hours. Entrance fees usually are charged,
though many outdoor sports events are free, but even
if charges are made, minimum cost seats usually are
within reach of lower income groups. In these spec-
tator sports the physical exertion is little more than
in driving for pleasure, even though some avid en-
thusiasts at times become quite exercised over the
outcome of the game. Usually no more exertion is
required than to stand up and sit. To appreciate the
game, one must understand the rules. This, however,
is an intellectual activity rather than an attainment
of physical skill. Consequently, the spectator need
not actually possess the skill. Whether status is
achieved through observation of sports events depends
upon several factors, For certain types of matches,
for example polo, status may accrue because the game
is associated with higher status levels. Conversely,
an outdoor wrestling event may imply negative status
in some groups. It has been observed that spectator
sports appeal particularly to the middle and lower
middle classes. 5/

It is fairly obvious, also, that attendance at some
events, such as the Thanksgiving game of one’s alma
mater, or the world series in baseball, or the annual
lawn tennis matches at Forest Hills, N.Y., or other
such events, may have greater status value to an
individual than more routine or commonplace ever

For a discussion of motivations of travelers, see, Max Kaplan,
“Leisure in America: A Social Inquiry,” New York: John
Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1960, p. 221 ff.

YAltred C. Clarke, The use of leisure and its relation to levels
of occupational prestige, “American Sociological Review,”

21 (1956): pp. 301-307.

Gregory Stone, “Some Meanings of American Sport,” College
Physical Education Association, 60th annual meeting, Colum-
bus, Ohio, October 1957, as reported by Max Kaplan, ‘Leisure
in America: A Social Inquiry,"” op. cit. p. 192.



variation and only slight seasonal variation inthe rate
of sightseeing (tables 1.01, 2.01, 3.01 and 4.01).

Sightseeing was enjoyed one or more times during
summer 1960 by 42 percent of the population aged 12
and above. This population went sightseeing an average
of 2.2 occasions during the summer, making sight-
seeing the fifth most frequent activity. It was a
popular activity in all regions, with the population in
the West and North Central regions participating more
frequently than the others, and the South (1.6) partic-
ipating less (table 1.02.15).

Females go sightseeing in summer slightly more
than males, although the difference is not great (2.35
to 2.03). This holds true in each region except the
West, where the male participates a little more.

There is a slight association of participation with
age, but the relationship is not strong: the male rate
drops from 2.58 for the 12-17 age group to 1.68 for
the group 65 years of age and over, but the most of
the decrement occurs beyond age 64. Hence, we may
consider that sightseeing is engaged in fairly equally
among all age groups to the retirement age.

There are a few interesting variations in the above
relationship by region. In the South, for example, the
rate fairly consistently decreases with each age group
both for males and females. In the North Central
States participation decreases fairly consistently for
males, but there is an increase for females, becoming
particularly high (3.7) for the females aged 45 to 64,
who apparently have gained some freedom from house-
hold chores and child care. Finally, in the West, the
peak participation rate occurs among males 65 years
and over (4.5), evidently a reflection of the active
retired group living in the West (table 1.02.15).

When age and sex are considered in relationto size
of place of residence, the same pattern of fairly con-
sistent participation rates through the active years
with a decrease after age 65, is apparent. However,
the rate for older males inurbanplaces is superior to
the rates for urban females in the same locations,
indicating a more active interest in “‘seeing the world’’
among retired males. Inrural areas, the rate declines
with age fairly consistently for males but increases up
to age 65 for females and then declines. In general,
the participation is approximately equal between large
urban places, medium size urban places and small
urban places, but the rate for rural areas is some~
what lower. As we shall see subsequently, the rural
rate is less than the urban, even for comparable
income classes (table 1.03.15).

Sightseeing and income

The sightseeing rate increases consistently as in-
come increases: from 0.7 occasions during the sum-
mer for the income group receiving less than $1,500
to 3.7 for the group earning $15,000 or more. This
relationship is fairly consistent for each region. The
participation rates also increase with income for each
size of place of residence class. Generally, we con-
clude that sightseeing is closely associated with
income (tables 1.02.15, and 1.03.15).

For the United States as a whole, the white rate
(2.31) exceeds the nonwhite (1.25), the difference being
significant, Across regions, the difference is greatest
in the Northeast and West and least in the North

53

Central States, where the nonwhite rate exceeds the
white by a small amount (0.3). When considered by
size of place of residence, rural areas show the
greatest discrepancy in participation between white
and nonwhite (1.39 occasions difference during the
season) (tables 1.02.15, 1.03.15).

White females participate more frequently than
white males within each size of place of residence
class. However, among nonwhites, the male rate is
slightly larger in urban areas (table 1.03.15),

Generally, rates decline as one moves from large
urban cities to rural areas. This relationship is not
entirely consistent for each region.

Among those aged 25 years and over, the rate
consistently increases from the lowest educational
level to the highest (0.5 for those with4 years or less
schooling to 3.4 for those who have completed college
or more). This relationship is repeated within each
region. Thus, similar to other activities, when income
is positively associated with participation, education
is also, Even though sightseeing requires income,
participation is evidence of an interest in the world
about us. One would expect the more educated to
participate more heavily, since their schooling should
have stimulated their interests. And they do (table
1.02.15).

Among females, the reported state of health is
associated with sightseeing participation: those with
poor health show lower participation. However, among
males the relationship holds only for those between
ages 18 and 64, For the older male age group, health
is unrelated to participation, and males.12to17 years
report only good or better health (table 1.04.15).

Persons with limiting impairments engage slightly
less in sightseeing than those who have impairments
that are not limiting. Those with impairments which
are not limiting engage with frequency equal to those
with no impairments. Thus, the attractiveness of
sightseeing appears to offset whatever limitations may
exist to impede those with physical impairments. In
general, the variation in rate according to the presence
or absence of impairments, as well as according to the
state of one’s health, is not great (table 1.04.15).

Sightseeing by occupation reveals only slight dif-
ferences, except for considerably lower rate among
laborers and farmworkers, The highest rate, as is
usual for most recreation activities, is among the
professional, technical and kindred workers (3.35)
(table 1.02.15).

Occupation, residence, and sightseeing

The variation among occupational groups within each
place of residence class is greater than the variation
across place of residence classes within occupational
groups. We conclude, ‘then, that occupation exerts a
greater influence upon the participation level in sight-
seeing than does size of place of residence (table
1.03.15),

Sightseeing ranks fourth in the preference order
for ‘some’ activities during the summer period
(18 percent). It is a highly desired activity for vaca-
tions and weekend trips (21 and 18 percent respec-
tively), being among the highest for all activities.
However, it has less appeal for a day’s outing or
only for a 2 to 3 hour leisure period. The percentage



it is about one-fourth the white rate inrural territory.
These relationships hold for both nonwhite male and
female. For both color groups and each size of place
of residence class, the male and female rates are
similar (table 1.03.12).

In the West and Northeast the rural population
participates somewhat more heavily, but in the
North Central and South, the urban population partici-
pates more heavily, These variations generally are
small (table 1.02.12).

Nature walks and education

Among the population 25 years and over, partici-
pation steps up with education, particularly with the
group completing high school and those having some
college education. This pattern is fairly uniform
within each region, Thus, as one would expect, educa-
tional attainment increases with interest in observing
nature, collecting specimens, etc. Even with education
constant participation rates vary by region, indicating
the significance of locale, organizational stimulation,
and other cultural factors on participation (table
1.02.12).

Among employed persons 14 years of age and over,
there is little variation between occupational classes.
The highest rates are observed among craftsmen,
foremen, and kindred workers, particularly those
living in the Northeast region and in both large cities
over 1 million and in rural territory. Another high
participation group are Western farmworkers. Be-
cause of the association with income and education,
one would expect considerably higher rates among the
occupations requiring greater length of schooling, but
the occupational classes, as categorized, do not sup-
port this, As a matter of fact, there appears to be
greater variation between size of place of residence
within occupation than across occupations (table
1.03.12),

The rate of participation in nature walks among
craftsmen varies more by region than by size of place
of residence. This is due primarily to the higher
participation in the Northeast. Farmworkers, also,
vary across regions. Except for these two groups,
participation by occupation varies more by size of
community than by region.

Persons whose impairments are not limiting go on
nature walks more often than those who have no im-
pairments. This is true for each age group. How-
ever, those with limiting impairments participate less
than the general population, although the differences
are not great when age is held constant (table 1.04.12).

The state of one’s health is associated with the
frequency of going on nature walks. Both males and
females who report their health as good or excellent
go on nature walks appreciably more than those who
report fair to poor health. Thisistruefor each major
age group (table 1.04.12).

Nature walking is a preferred activity by a very
small percentage of the population (3 percent), and
preference for nature walks in terms of occasion is
the same (1 percent) whether one considers engaging
while on vacation, on a weekend trip, ona day’s outing,
or when only 2 or 3 hours are available. This pref-
erence frequency is too small to establish any relation-

50

ship between participation in various activities and
preference for nature walks (table 1.21).

Persons who participate in nature walks also enjoy
hiking (r= 0.19) and walking for pleasure (r=0.25),
picnics (r= 0,23), sightseeing (r= 0.25), playing
games and sports (r = 0.20), and swimming (r = 0.23).
Thus, we have a joint picture of a person who enjoys
walking in its varied forms, seeing things, and the
various youthful outdoor activities (appendix A, table
3c).

About two-fifths of those preferring nature walks
participate as often as they would like. However,
about one-third of those who prefer nature walks do
not do so as often as they would like because of a lack
of time. The two restrictions mentioned next most
frequently (by 10 percent each, of those preferring
nature walks) was a lack of a location or facility and
a feeling that somehow their physical condition, age,
or other ability restricted their participation. Males
mentioned time only slightly more often than females.
But males mentioned reasons associated with facilities
(inadequate, too distant or too crowded) considerably
more than did females (table 1.14B).

Nature walking is an educational experience. The
chief motivation must be associated with esthetic
appreciation or scientific collections. Although the
time required is not great, perhaps one half day
sufficing for an occasion, the level of skill required
is high compared with some other activities. The
skill required, particularly, is observational sensi-
tivity coupled with knowledge of nature. Perceptivity
most certainly increases with training. One’s income
is unimportant, but time is required, Although a walk
in the open air is invigorating, it need not be strenuous.
Hence, itis ideal for older persons. Through collecting
nature objects, one may both improve physical stamina
and acquire learning experiences. Certainly, the
variety of subject matter available, the low activity
level required, and freedom from any income restric-
tion makes nature walks potentially of great popularity.
With increasing educational level, greater available
Jeisure and increase in the retired population, higher
participation may be expected. In addition, some youth
currently engaging in the activity may be expected to
continue its practice as they grow older.

DRIVING FOR PLEASURE

Driving or riding in the automobile for pleasure is
the outdoor activity we do most. There are almost 21
occasions per person 12 years of age andover annually.
We go automobile riding slightly more in the summer
(6.68 times per person) thanother seasons, but it truly
is a year-round activity, and it is spreadfairly evenly
throughout the regions, Driving during summer is
heavier in the North Central (8.02) and Northeast (7.23)
regions, than in the South and West (tables 1.01, 2.01,
3.01, and 4.01).

Possession of an automobile is one important con-
ditioning factor, Ownership varies withincome: from
41 percent in the lowest income class to near 100
percent for the upper income classes. As a con-
sequence, we may expect participation to increase
with income. Ownership, also, is related to size of
place of residence. Urban residents of SMA’s ofover
1 million population have lowest percentage ownership


the rural population close to large cities is the group
which most frequently prefers to picnic. On the other
hand, in the South the large city resident mentions
picnicking more than people living in other size of
place of residence groups (42 percent mentioning).
(See table 1.17.)

As a general preference, picnicking is mentioned
differently by male and female when considered by
age. The younger males—under 24 years of age—
mention picnicking less frequently than females of the
same age. Older males (above 25) mention picnicking
more than younger ones, but still not as frequently
as females in corresponding ages. Those mentioning
picnicking more often than any other group are the
female 25 to 44 years of age, perhaps mothers
with small children. Forty percent of females over
65 years of age mention picnicking as a preferred
activity. For this age group, picnicking is the 2nd
most frequently mentioned preference, about equal
to driving for pleasure in popularity among the older
population (table 1.17).

Picknicking on a day’s outing

Since picnicking ranks high in order of preference
for a day’s outing, let us examine the characteristics
of those who more frequently prefer picnicking for
a day’s outing (table 1.28).

For the United States as a whole, the percent
mentioning picnicking for a day’s outing varies little
by size of place of residence, the percentages hovering
around the United States average of 31 percent.
In the Northeast, those living in standard metropolitan
areas mention picnicking slightly more frequently
than the remainder of the Northeast population. This
is not true, however, in the North Central region,
but it is true in the South. In the West, on the other
hand, persons living in cities of over 1 million
have the lowest preference of any size of place of
residence class for picnicking, but those living in
somewhat smaller cities (SMA under 1 million)
mention picnicking more frequently. In general, it
would appear that there is a greater concentration
of demand in large city areas than elsewhere, although
picnicking on a day’s outing is generally popular
among all groups.

As an activity for a day’s outing, picnicking is
chiefly preferred among those 25 to 44 years -of
age, both male and female. As was true for general
preferences, picnicking preference for a day’s outing,
is more among females of each age group than males.
Undoubtedly, the less strenuous physical demand of
picnicking, plus the opportunity it offers for children
to play, is essentially a feminine consideration.
Thirty-seven percent of females prefer picnicking
for a day’s outing compared with 25 percent among
males,

Activities associated with picknicking

Those who participate in picnicking express a
preference for a variety of other activities. Examining
some of these suggests the activities which persons
who picnic also would enjoy engaging in simultaneously
while picnicking. These data also suggest the set
of activities which are appropriate for planners to

46

consider for the day’s outing. Swimming leads the
list for the summer period: as the rate of participation
in picnicking increases from zero to four or more
(for the 3-month period) the percentage preferring
swimming increases from 32 to 57 percent. In like
manner the percent who prefer boating increases
from 9 percent for zero participants to 15 percent
among participants going picnicking four or more times
in the summer. A similar preference pattern is
found for water skiing, camping, and horseback
riding. On the other hand, days participation in
picnicking is negatively associated with the percentage
mentioning fishing and hunting as preferred activities.
Picnickers frequently mention driving for pleasure
(25 percent) and sightseeing (18 percent) but the
percentages are not consistently related to days of
picnicking participation (table 1.12).

Activities associated with picnicking also may be
identified by examining correlation coefficients of
days activity during the summer with other activities.
Highly associated are swimming (0.38), driving for
pleasure (0.27), playing outdoor games and sports
(0.26), sightseeing (0.25), boating (0.24) and nature
walks (0.23), (See appendix A, table 3C).

Within the labor force population, service workers
and white-collar workers generally prefer picnicking
more than other occupational classes. Note that
professional-technical and craftsmen-foremen par-
ticipate considerably more than their expressed
preference for it suggests. On the other hand, service
workers mention picnicking often (40 percent) and
actually participate heavily (48 percent). (Compare
tables 1.20 and 1.02.13.)

Forty-two percent of those who prefer picnicking
find that they can participate as often as they like.
On the other hand, the reason 32 percent of the popu-
lation who prefer picnicking do not engage more often
is lack of time. Financial reasons are mentioned
by only 7 percent of those who prefer picnicking,
while nonavailability of facilities is mentioned by
only 5 percent. Thus, leisure time to engage in
picnicking is the principal reason people do not
engage as often as they would like. This strongly
suggests that any increase in available leisure time
will stimulate some increase in picnicking. This
pattern is the same for both male and female. Males
prefer picnicking somewhat less than females, and
say in larger proportions (49 percent) that they picnic
as often as they like (compared with 39 percent
participating freely among females). This, of course,
refers only to those who express a preference for
Picnicking (table 1.14B).

WALKING FOR PLEASURE

Walking for pleasure is second only to driving for
pleasure in annual rate of participation. The popu-
lation engages 17.9 occasions per person annually.
These occasions are distributed fairly evenly through-
out the year. In fact, the rate during the winter is
slightly greater than other seasons (4.88 for winter,
4.34 for summer). Perhaps the higher rate in
inter partly reflects the fact that alternative activ-
ities are less possible during this season. Annually,
the Northeast has a higher rate of walking for
pleasure than other regions, 24.6 occasions per



5 percent for the group 12-13 years of age to 19 per-
cent for 45 to 64 years). On the other hand, females’
preferences decline from 10 percent for the 14 to 17
age group to 4 percent for those 65 and over (table
1,17).

The summer preference for attending outdoor sports
events is negatively associated with participation in
some of the more vigorous outdoor activities, suchas
boating, camping, fishing, and hunting. On the other
hand, it is positively associated with participation in
driving for pleasure in the summer and such fall
activities as swimming, sightseeing, and picnicking.
As a composite, this suggests that attending outdoor
sports events is preferred among those who find
pleasure in outdoor activities that are not field and
stream oriented, and which may easily be engaged in
by one living in the urban environment (tables 1.12
and 2,12),

The correlation coefficients between attending out~
door sports events and engaging in other summer ac-
tivities are shown below: 6/

Playing outdoor games and sports. ws 0.33
Driving for pleasure... .. wee 227
Swimming....... wee 27
Picnicking, wee 28
Sightseeing . +) 18
Boating (other than sailing and canoeing) +. 18
Bicycling . . wee 16
Fishing. . _ 115
Walking for pleasure. ee oe 14
Nature Walks..... oe 13
Horseback riding . . 12
Hiking ...... . 10
Water skiing : .09
Camping... : 208

These correlations between number of days parti-
cipation in various activities and attending outdoor
sports events show that those who actuallyplay games
and sports are interested in attending sports events,
as is shown by acorrelation coefficient of 0.33 between
these two activities. The next three largest corre-
lation coefficients suggest the urban orientation of
persons who attend outdoor sports events (driving for
pleasure, picnicking, swimming, and sightseeing).
Attending sports events shows a much lower as-
sociation with the more vigorous outdoor activities,
swimming excepted,

Restrictions on attendance

Thirty-six percent of those expressing a preference
for attending outdoor sports events say that they en-
gage as often as they would like, Another one-third
do not participate as often as they would like because
of time restrictions, This group most likely will
participate more often as more leisure time becomes
available to them, Twelve percent do not participate
as often as they would like for financial reasons, and

4/The variate in the above computations was the square root of
the number of doys participation during summer. At 0.01 level
of significance a value icantly greater than zero if
quel to or greater thon 0.04. See oppendix A, table 3c.

57

10 percent do not participate because of reasons which
we have classified as facilities, evidently meaning the
unavailability of events to attend. The somewhat higher
percentage who do not attend for financial reasons
indicates that entrance fees remain a restriction the
reduction of which might increase participation. In-
creased income, given a constant entrance charge,
might thereby improve attendance. These percent-
ages suggest that a considerable amount of outdoor
activity will be devoted to attending outdoor sports
events should more time and increased income re-
lease individuals from these restrictions (table
1,.14B).

Forty-two percent of the females who express a
preference for attending outdoor sports events do so
as often as they would like, compared with 33 percent
for males. The most significant restriction expressed
by males is available time, 41 percent of those who
prefer the activity so stating. Among females, on the
other hand, time was mentioned by only 24 percent
and financial restrictions by 15 percent of females
(table 1.14B).

ATTENDING OUTDOOR CONCERTS, DRAMA

We attend outdoor concerts and drama only 0.4
times per person throughout the year. About half
of these are during summer with very little activity
in other seasons. The Northeast and West have the
heaviest annual rates (0.50 and 0.48, respectively).
Participation in the South, even in summer, is quite
low when compared with other regions. Fall and
spring rates are slightly higher than winter (tables
1.01, 2.01, 3.01, and 4.01).

During summer 1960, 9 percent of the population
12 years of age and over attended outdoor concerts
and drama one or more times. Ten activities in the
survey had higher percentage participation than this.
It was only 0,21 attendance occasions per person
during the summer, which is quite a low rate (table
1.02.02),

In addition to a low percent participating, and a low
number of days per person, the infrequency with which
people attend outdoor concerts and drama is further
illustrated by the number of days per participant,
which is the lowest of all activities in the survey,
even canoeing and sailing exceeding it in days per
participant. Those who attend outdoor concerts and
drama do so at a rate of about 2.4 occasions per
participant during the 3-month period.

By region, summer participation is approximately
equal among all regions except the South where the
participation is quite low (0.07).

The small frequency participation makes analysis
less certain than some other outdoor activities.

Males and females participate at approximately the
same rate, females having slightly higher rates inthe
North Central and West.

Participation is highest among young males 12 to
17 years of age and among young females 12 to 24
years of age than other age groups. The rate declines
thereafter with age. This pattern characterizes each
region except the South where the rates are uniformly
low (table 1.02.02).



appropriate dress being required. More customarily,
however, entrance fees are charged, making at-
tendance at these events somewhat more restricted to
income classes having some surplus for such expend-
itures, perhaps lower middle classes up. Nophysical
activity, as with attending sports events, is required
for participation, but attendance implies an intellectual
interest in the story, in music, the dance, etc., an
interest which may, in turn, indicate that the person
has participated at one time in the activity and has
some skill in it, The degree of status achieved through
participation rests partially upon the status associated
with the activity. The widespread popularity during
summer of events at seashore or mountain resorts,
particularly those where professional performers
“star” in the casts, is likely to give the spectator
a more widely recognized basis for accruing status
than attendance, for example, at free municipal
concerts. Similarly, the status value of attendance
varies for events as a symphony orchestra concert, a
high school band, professional jazz band, the St.
Louis summer opera program, etc. Perhaps the de-
gree of status achieved through participation rests in

part upon the newsworthy nature of the outdoor pro~
gram as well as the degree of popularity of the
performers. Attendance at outdoor concerts and
drama potentially provides an opportunity for learning
and development in esthetic appreciation, which is
likely to increase with more frequent participation.
Undoubtedly there are numerous other motives in
attending outdoor concerts and drama. Participation
with family and friends makes the event a social
affair, and hence has rewards other than purely
esthetic appreciation. In relating the story or an ac-
count of the musical event to others one may gain a
reward analogous to being present when an event
occurs. In addition, there is an intellectual reward
to those who appreciate the story, musical selection,
or the rhythm and motion of a dance. Such ex~
periences provide a stimulant which may later lead
to creativity. Attendance at outdoor concerts and
drama, then, is likely to motivate the individual to
creativity in other fields. The latter rests uponsome
of the social functions of the audience-oriented arts,
Such social functions may include the stimulation of
creativity in political, economic and familial insti~
tutions, as well as contribute to the process of
personality integration. As concerns the latter,
identification and role-taking become products of

59

observing the drama andother artforms.7/ Attending
concerts and drama, thus, becomes the most intel-
lectual of the outdoor activities and one which would
be expected to appeal to the more professional oc-
cupations, the better educated, and the more cosmo-
politan and urban segments of the population,

MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES

Activities which could not be classified in the 23
categories of outdoor recreation are accounted for in
the first summary table for each survey (tables 1.01,
2,01, 3.01, and 4,01) where they are classified as
miscellaneous, Only 0.57 occasions per person
annually were classified as miscellaneous, thereby
attesting to the comprehensiveness of the classifi-
cation scheme. Almost all of these miscellaneous
activities take place during the summer period. They
include such things as sailing in gliders, target
practice, dancing outdoors, parading, riding a buggy,
jumping on a trampoline, twirling a baton, and sitting
and playing cards, Undoubtedly, many such events
were considered too unimportant to the respondent to
report to us. Taken together they amount to six-
tenths of 1 percent of all reported outdoor activity.
This may well be an under representation of these
miscellaneous activities, since the use of the ‘‘out-
door recreation activities flash card’’, which prompted
the respondent to identify outdoor recreation oc-
casions he had engaged in, would stimulate responses
to these activities to the exclusion of unlisted ac-
tivities.

Considering the dynamics of our technology and the
rate with which new implements are adopted in our
culture, the future will most likely see new forms of
outdoor recreation come into being which may well
alter the outdoor recreation resource requirements.
Considering the rapid popularity that boating has at-
tained, the future may see the air, the ice, under-
water, or the interior of caves become the environ-
ment for greater participation of one kind or another,
Consequently, one may anticipate dynamic changes in
the forms of outdoor recreation along with a continuing
need for resources for the traditional ones.

more succinctly stated by Max Kaplan in his "Leisure
ica: A Social Inquiry,” as follows: ‘“‘Social functions
of ort rolote one to persons, ideas, cultural norms, or patterns
of behavior that may be connected to esthetic content but are

not central to it.” New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1960,
p. 203.



may participate in picnicking as freely as it wishes
(table 1.02.13).

The pattern observed above of decreasing partici-
pation as one moves from the largest urban center
to the smaller urban center, is repeated for each
income class with fair consistency. For example,
the successive rates from largest place of residence
class to the small urban place is 1.47 to 0.77 to
0.88, for the lowest income class, and 3.5 to 2.2
to 2.0 for the income class $10,000 to $14,999.
Variations in this pattern occur principally among
the middle income classes. This suggests the stability
of the effect of size of place of residence on picnicking.
The higher rates among the higher income classes
in large urban places suggest the attractiveness of
picnicking as an alternative recreation for people
living in large cities. Perhaps availability or
accessibility to a picnicking spot affects this partici-
pation rate to some degree. On the other hand,
the rural population (in and out of SMA) is generally
quite close to the national mean for each income
class. The rural population (in and out of SMA) more
closely resembles picnicking rates of cities over 1
million than it does small urban places (2,500 to
50,000). (See table 1.03.13.)

Participation among whites is greater than among
nonwhites (2.23 per person during the summer com-
pared with 1.36 per person). This relative relation-
ship holds for each region except the West where
the nonwhite and white participation is about equal
(2.13 for nonwhite to 2.09 for the white). The
actual percentages participating are closer than
these figures suggest. Nationally, 54 percent of the
white went picnicking one or more times during the
summer as compared with 45 percent of the non-
white population. The nonwhite population participates
at its lowest rate in the South as also does the white
population, and participates more frequently in the
North Central region and the West (table 1.02.13).

Nonwhite participation in cities over 1 million is
greater than nonwhite participation for any other
residence category. Next highest participation is
among the small city population (1.57). The non-
white rate in cities 50,000 to 1 million and in rural
areas are equally low (0.96 and 0.91), These relative
rates are repeated for both nonwhite males and
females. In general, the female participation rate
tends to exceed the male rate in both the white and
nonwhite segments, (table 1.03.13),

Picnicking by occupation

Picnicking is more frequently engaged in by the
professional, technical, white-collar and craftsmen-
foremen occupational groups. Laborers, service
workers, and others, engage considerably less. The
higher participation levels among these occupational
classes is evident in each region (table 1.02.13).

The high participating occupational groups also
occupy the first ranking positions for each size of
place of residence class. The effect, then, of
occupation is fairly clear (table 1.03.13).

For the population aged 25 years or more, the
rate of participation increases with years of schooling.
This pattern is repeated with some consistency within
each region. While the interaction of income and

45

education may have some effect in depressing partici-
pation rates among groups with little formal schooling,
this does not explain the continued increase with
years of schooling (table 1.02.13), Higher partici-
pation rates are associated with occupations requiring
greater educational attainment. Picnicking frequently
is an organizational affair, associated with the head
of household’s place of work, or a social event
sponsored by an institution, such as a church or
association, These observations reinforce the
assumption, made earlier, that motivation to picnic
is derived from these social factors.

The rate of picnicking declines with assessment
of health from excellent to poor, for both male
and female within each major age classification
(youth, 12-17; the vigorous years, 18-44; middle
age, 45-64; and the elder population, 65 and over).
For some of the age classifications, there is little
difference in rates between those reporting ‘‘excellent””
and ‘good’? health, Middle-aged persons reporting
“‘good’? health picnic more than those of ‘‘excellent’”’
health (table 1.04.13).

However, having impairments does not limit
picnicking. Those with impairments go picnicking
as frequently as those without them. In particular,
those whose impairments do not limit their activity
picnic at somewhat higher rates than those whose
impairments are limiting. However, for the 18-44
age group, those with impairments which are not
limiting participate less (3.08) than those whose
impairments are limiting (3.32). The fact that persons
with impairments can and do participate frequently
in picnicking indicates that this outdoor activity places
a low physical demand upon the participants, It
also emphasizes the importance of this type of
outdoor recreation for physically handicapped persons
(table 1.04.13).

Picnicking ranks second in the preference order,
33 percent of the population indicating a preference
for it (either 1st, 2d, or 3d choice). The high
popularity of this outdoor activity gives it precedence
as a planning objective, In addition, the time people
prefer to go picnicking is fairly clear. More than
for vacations, weekend trips, or even for periods of
2 to 3 hours, people prefer to picnic on a day’s
outing, 31 percent of the population so indicating.
Picnicking is the activity preferred above all others
for a day’s outing, the next most frequently mentioned
being swimming with 14 percent of the population
selecting it. The implication of this preference is
quite clear. When planning for any given population,
Picnicking facilities should be so located that the
outing may take place within a day, usually between
breakfast and evening, Picnicking, also, was men-
tioned as a first preference by 3 to 4 percent of the
population when considering vacation, weekend trips,
or when only 2 or 3 hours are available (table
1.21).

Nationally, the general preference for picnicking
{about 33 percent of the population) is approximately
the same irrespective of size of place of residence,
There are some variations in this pattern by region.
For example, in the Northeast, there is a somewhat
higher preference for picnicking in the small urban
Places (not in SMA), 40 percent of this population
mentioning picnicking. In the North Central States,



one may spend little or much, Consequently, the
cost factor may vary with the income level of the
family participating. There is little or no physical
activity involved in picnicking, per se. However,
on picnics, people customarily play games, hike,
swim, walk for pleasure, or indulge in other more or
less strenuous activities. The picnic, itself, however,
need only be as physically demanding as is necessary
to transport food to picnic site. Consequently, little
physical activity or skill is required. This gives
picnicking an appeal among all age groups.

The skills needed to cook and serve at home
are also needed on a picnic if food is prepared
in the open. Additional skill may be required to
cook in the open over a wood fire, as opposed to
the household kitchen, and there may be skills
associated with serving food at its best in the
open. Once such skills are learned, however,
practicing them may provide satisfactions to the
cook (witness the institutionalized picnic that annually
calls upon the same person to barbecue chicken),
It is doubtful that participating in a picnic enables
one to achieve status to any degree. Perhaps partici-
pating in some picnics among some groups contributes
status, but it is doubtful that this is generally true
for a family picnic.

The locale of the picnic may vary greatly. It may
be a city park or zoo with picnic tables; it may
be a roadside picnic table; it may be a meadow
without facilities; it may be a commercial recreation
area which may charge a small fee for use of the
table, The variation in locale makes picnicking an
activity which may be engaged in, potentially, by
all population segments, irrespective of place of
residence, By the same token, the quality of the
experience may vary widely, depending upon the
locale as well as the expectations of the participants.

Motivation to picnic must essentially be social.
Eating is a social function. Eating in the open with
friends, relatives, or office associates, becomes a
convivial experience. Another possible motive is to
enable a visit to the country. With food as the
objective one may visit places where restaurants
and sandwich shops are not located and engage in
a variety of outdoor activities. Picnics, then, provide
the sustenance function necessary for other outdoor
activities. Being together for an outdoor swim or a
day at the beach is made possible bya picnic. Driving
for pleasure or a sightseeing trip is made possible
by taking food along and having a picnic at a roadside
spot. A visit to a mountain, lake, or nature trail,
is possible when food is carried along for a picnic.
Picnics, then, facilitate other outdoor activities.
Almost every one who has ever gone on a picnic
repeats the experience. The most frequent reason
given for not doing so was that they did not like the
outdoors environment.

Picnicking rates

The highest rate of picnicking (2.8 picnics per person
during the summer months) is in the Northeastern
region while the South had the lowest, (1.3 picnics
per person during the summer). The West had a
lower rate, 2.09, than the North Central States,
2.34, Except for the South, regional variation is not
great (table 1.02.13).

44

Females engage at a slightly higher rate than males,
for the United States as a whole in summer (2.28
compared with 1,98). In fact, in the Northeast and
South the male and female participation rates are
about the same, while in the North Central States
and the West the female rate exceeds the male by
a little more than one-half occasion per person
during the summer.

For males, the picnicking rate declines slightly
with age from the 12 to 17 year old group and is
about constant at 2.3 occasions for the summer
months for the male group aged 18 through 44.
For older ages, thereafter, the rate declines. Among
females, the rate is fairly constant to age 44 and
then declines also. However, among the older ages,
the female rate is greater than the male rate for
each age group. These patterns generally are repeated
within each region (table 1.02.13).

‘The rate of picnicking in rural areas is the same
as for the Nation as a whole (2.14). However, among
urban places the rate varies from 1.76 in small
cities (2,500 to 50,000) to 2.4 in cities of over 1
million, The higher participation rate among males in
large urban places (over 1 million) is especially
pronounced among the 12 to 24 year age group.
The low rate among males in small urban places
is constant for each age group until age 45 and over.
This pattern of unusually high rates among younger
ages in the large cities is repeated among females.
An exception is the female rate in small cities
which is not as low as the male, However, this
difference is not due to sampling, but toa significantly
greater number of females engaging in picnics (table
1,038.13).

Picnicking rates present a curvilinear relationship
with an urban-rural continuum, (This continuum:
urban over 1 million, SMA under 1 million, urban
outside SMA, rural in SMA, rural nonfarm, rural
farm.) With such a rough ordering, the picnicking
rate declines from 2.41 for the most urban group to
1.76 for small urban places, then increases to 2.41
for the rural nonfarm population. The rural farm
population picnics less than any other group, 1.39
per person, This pattern is generally repeated for
each region, with the South showing greater discrepancy
from it, having less variation between size of place of
residence classes (table 1.02.13).

Picnicking increases with increasing family income
to the $6,000 to $7,999 income class and declines
slightly thereafter. Actually, even though there is
an increase in the rate and some other variation,
participation is fairly constant beyond the $4,500
annual income class. This suggests that income
is of no consequence in conditioning participation
beyond the first two or three lower income classes.
The peak participation rate in the Northeast and North
Central regions are reached with the $10,000 to
$14,999 income class. However, the peak rate for
the South is the $6,000 to $7,999 income class, while
the peak rate for the West is the $3,000 to $4,499
income class. In the South and West picnicking is
less popular with the higher income classes. In
summary, the data suggests that income is a barrier
to picnic participation only for the lower income
classes. Given a minimum income level, a family



In summary, it would appear that attendance at an
outdoor sports event may have status meaning dif-
ferentially, depending upon the type of event or sport,
the vomposition of the competitors, or the social
class membership of the spectators. Another factor
may be the community, for a given type of game may
have a greater or less status significance, depending
upon the normative system of the community. One
may add that status rewards are reaped primarily
through relating the events of the game to others,

The degree to which one learns through observation
of the players, perhaps, is indeterminate, Certainly,
an amateur player as a spectator may observe skillful
players and get information and motivation conducive
to improving his own skill. Perhaps such situations
are more characteristic of youthful amateur players
than others, And, too, perhaps the extent to which
continuous learning is possible rests partly upon the
potential of the game for skill elaboration. In short,
the potential for continuous learning through spectator-
ship rests both upon characteristics of the spectator
and of the game, However, most spectators probably
attend to witness the outcome of the competition or
other reasons than to learn,

In addition, a wide variety of motives influences
spectators to attend outdoor games and sports. One
attends because of identification with one or the other
of the contending teams. One gains vicarious pleasure
from a victory by the team with which one identifies.
One attends in order tobe with others, to communicate
with others, and to enjoy an experience with others
irrespective of the sports event. An outdoor sports
event is an event in the sense that action and results
are made to occur. Thus, one attends to be present
when something happens. In turn, the recapitulation
of what one saw emphasizes to others that one was
present when it happened. Those interested in per-
sonal development as an amateur in the gameor sport
have the motive of observing and later putting into
effect improved techniques of play. Those who no
longer actively engage in the sport as amateurs, may
attend to satisfy an interest in the sport created when
one actively participated, Other motives undoubtedly
influence some to attend outdoor sports events. What-
ever the original motive, once participation becomes
enjoyable and the value established and reinforced,
attendance becomes a goal in itself.

Summer attendance rates

About one-fourth of the population attended outdoor
sports events during summer 1960. The summer at-
tendance amounted to 1,32 events per person 12 years
of age and over. The percentage gives attending
sports events eighth rank, making spectator sports
quite a significant outdoor activity. This is partic-
ularly true when one considers that many events are
Professional events at which an entrance fee is
charged to support professional players. These are
the summer sports: baseball, tennis, swimming, and
boating events, as well as amateur baseball games,
track meets, and various other competitive events.

The rate varies little by region. The West has a
lower rate (1.03) and the North Central States the
higher rate (1.61), but the regions are homogeneous in
Participation (table 1.02.03).

55

Men attend outdoor sports events slightly more often
than women (1.61 events per person for men com-
pared with 1.06 for women). This is true for each
region, except the North Central States where the rate
of attendance is the same for men and women (1.61).

For male and female, attendance declines with age.
For example, U.S. males 12 to 17 years attended an
average of 2.57 times during the summer, andthe rate
declines successively with each age group to 0.47 for
males 65 years of age and over. Females follow this
pattern, also. The same association of age with
participation obtains in each region. There is some-
what greater variability in the West (table 1.02.03),

When viewed by size of place of residence, male
and female participation decline with age. Smallurban
places show greater variability than other residence
classes, the variation being in the direction of higher
rates of participation among the middle aged and older
males. In fact, when viewed by size of place of
residence, the small urban place (2,500 to 50,000)
presents the highest rate (1.77), while, as one would
expect, rural areas attend outdoor sports events at
lower rates (1.15). The heavier participation in the
small urban place is due partly to the heavier attend-
ance by females 12 to 17 years of age and by males
18 to 24 years of age (table 1.03.03).

The observation made previously that middle and
lower classes participate more heavily is partly sup~
ported by this study. By income, participation rises
from 0.66 to a peak with the $6,000 to $7,999 family
income group (2.09), then declines somewhat there-
after, In general, the participation rate increases
most over the first three income classes to the
group having family incomes of $6,000 to $7,999
annually, Although the rate varies thereafter, the
variation is slight and one may consider that at-
tendance in outdoor sports events is fairly homog-
enous throughout income classes above this income
group. Although there is some variation, this pattern
is sufficiently stable across regions to represent the
national picture.

The relationship also holds by size of place of
residence, with some variation among urban places
of less than 1 million population. Rural persons have

a more constant level of participation across income
classes than other size of place of residence groups,
Participation, also, is somewhat greater for those
earning $15,000 or more annually who live in stand-
ard metropolitan areas, suggesting that availability
of a wider variety of games and outdoor sports events
in such areas appeals to upper income groups (table
1.03.03). The variation by size of place of residence
may be the result of differences in opportunity to
engage in alternate forms of recreation, In rural
areas there is a dearth of opportunity to attend such
sports events, whereas in urban areas there are other
competing opportunities which attract participants.

For all types of outdoor recreation the total rate
of participation is lowest in rural areas (29.76
occasions per person for the summer period) and
highest for the small urban place (37.2 events per
person), The rural areas evidence lower participa-
tion rates for urban-type recreation, as one would
expect.



The picture is much the same when age and sex are
considered by size of place of residence. Rates de-
cline somewhat less with age among inhabitants of
cities of over 1 million, and the variation is insignif-
icant among age groups who live in places 50,000 to
1 million, but otherwise, the pattern of participation is
much the same (table 1.03.02).

There is a gradual increase in the rate with in-
creasing family income. This is more obvious in
the Northeast and North Central than in the South and
West. In the South the rate is quite low for all in-
come groups and in the West there is greater variation
among income classes. However, the effect of ability
to pay is obvious from the data (table 1.02.02),

Income considered in relation to size of place of
residence, produces a-more irregular pattern. There
is an increase from the lowest income class to the
highest, and this pattern is more consistent for large
urban places than rural areas. In the latter, the
participation rate reaches a peak of 0.45 for the family
income class $6,000 to $7,999 per year and declines
somewhat for income groups receiving more than this
amount, Such variations, however, are small. The
fact that such variation exists, however, suggests that
availability as conditioned by residence and income has
much to do with attending outdoor concerts, drama,
etc. (table 1.03.02).

The white rate of participation (0.23) is about twice
the nonwhite, except in the South where the rates are
about equal, although quite low. This is fairly constant,
also, when white- nonwhite rates are considered by size
of place of residence. However, the participation rate
for the nonwhite population living in rural areas is
near zero, compared with the white rate of .19 (table
1.03.02).

Female rates are similar to male rates, for both
white and nonwhite groups.

Attendance, residence, and region

When considered by size of place of residence, and
region, the lower rural rate is not shared by the rural
population living close to large cities (within standard
metropolitan areas). Both the rural nonfarm andrural
farm rates are low compared with other size of place
of residence classes, The rural nonfarm rate for the
industrial Northeast (0.52) is considerably higher than
rural rates in other regions, suggesting the effect of
proximity to centers that present outdoor concerts and
dramas. The rates within each size of place of resi-
dence class are low for the South except in urban
places of over 1 million; these rates, for the South,
are approximately the same as other regions (table
1,03.02).

‘Among those aged 25 years or more, attendance at
outdoor concerts and drama increases with years of
schooling (from 0.05 for those with less than 4 years
schooling to 0.37 for those who have completed
college). This pattern is fairly consistent for each
region, the South excepted (table 1.02.02).

By occupation, professional persons go to concerts
and drama much more frequently than those in other
occupational classes, and farmworkers go less. An-
other urban occupation, white-collar workers attend
next most frequently, Other than these the remaining
occupational groups hover quite closely about the

58

national mean for the labor force population (14 years
of age and over) of 0.2 attendance occasions per person
during the 3-month period (table 1.03.02). The labor
force population participates at about the same level
as the remainder of the population.

The pattern is repeated in each region, except the
South where all groups except professional and tech-
nical workers and craftsmen and foremen are uni-
formly low (table 1.02.02),

Attending a concert or drama is associated withthe
respondent’s report on his health, for males and fe-
males, For example, among female the rate rises
from 0.06 for those who report their health to be
poor to 0.34 among those who say their health is ex-
cellent. Thus, even though attendance at a concert
is not physically demanding, persons with better
health are more active p “‘icipants (table 1.04.02).

This relationship is fairiy consistent for each of the
major age classifications, although there appears to be
greater variation among persons 65 years and older,
than for younger groups. Among retired persons
there is slightly more frequent participation among
those who report their health as fair or poor than
among those who report their health excellent or
good,

Persons with impairments participate slightly less
than those who have no impairments (table 1.04.02).

Attending outdoor concerts, drama, etc., is selected
as a preferred activity by a very small percent of the
population, only 4 percent. This places the activity
among the 3 lowest in preference rank, It was a
more frequent preference for periods of 2 to 3 hours
than other times (table 1.21).

Expressions of preference for outdoor concerts and
drama are negatively associated with participation in
fishing, camping, boating, and swimming—the vigorous
outdoor activities. On the other hand, expressions of
preference for attending outdoor concerts and drama
are positively associated with sightseeing, hiking, and
driving for pleasure, This suggests that those who at-
tend are oriented toward urban recreation activities
(table 1.12).

Among persons who prefer outdoor concerts and
drama as an outdoor recreation activity, 19 percent
say that they participate as often as they would like.
The remainder do not participate as often as they
would like because of various restrictions upon their
activity. The most prominent factor mentioned was the
unavailability of facilities, 31 percent of people who
prefer attending outdoor concerts and drama mention-
ing this. The second most important restriction upon
attendance was availability of time, 25 percent men-
tioning this factor. Financial reasons were mentioned
by 11 percent, Thus, the suggestion made previously
that unavailability of facilities limits participation
among those who would like to attend, is confirmed
by the data. Males mention unavailability of facilities
somewhat more frequently than females (table 1.14B),

Event characteristics

Attendance at an outdoor concert or drama normally
requires 2, 3, or 4 hours, hence it becomes an after-
noon or evening activity. Ifno entrance charge is made,
there would be little to restrict participation, merely