The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-08-12

Our New Spare Time ---HoUN We Spend IL
By HOWARD w. BLAKEsLEE

(ASSOclaLe0 FFeSS OCtSnCe EuAtOfJ
NEW YORK, August 12.-The
new deal-shorte working hours
more leisure time.
OF these, the third packs the
risks. 1t is new mode Of life
for most Americans. Once we
were called money-mad. But
now it is said we shall learn that
too much idle time is as bad as too
much money, if the leisure ex-
pected to result from operation of
the NRA program and other re-
covery measures is spent unwisely.
Danger Pointed Out
What are the dangers and how
can time be wisely spent? The
first answer to this question is
from Jesse F. Williams, M. D.,
professor of physical education at
Columbia university.
The first risk, as he sees it, is
commercial exploitation of amuse-
fun" Another is
blind belief that work is always
a virtue. play always childish. A
third is being the all-round dub.
"The ability to play" he says,
els largely an attitude of mind.
1t is psychological rather than
physiological, Those who have
never experienced the satisfaction
that comes through well per-
formed motor play-the dubs or
novices-fail generally to ap- !
preciate the run others enjoy and
comprise in the main
the critics Of play and other
sports.
Arm Chair Attitude Scored
zone reason for the tremendous
lag in the use of play in schools
and communities is the fact that
control Of educational policy has
been largely in the hands of those |
who lack kinesthetic appreciation
of play. Play can never be
evaluated in an arm chair.
"Since play is an attitude and
relates to pro-
ficiencv, the business of educa-
ton in this function is twofold. |
First, there must be developed the
notion that play belongs in any
plan for better living in the world /,
and hence that all persons unable
to play are badly or partly edu-
Gated.
Reaching Enjoyment Level
SECONDLY, every boy and girl
must be educated in at least sew
eral forms. of motor play beyond
the novice or dub class and hence
into the enjoyment level.
"The essence of good play is its
neglect Of Interior ends. Its pur-
pose arises and natures within it
self. Thus, playing golf for ones
health--a horrible use for such a
noble game---is about on par
with dancing for health.
with the growth of leisure
time we win be the victims of
commercial exploitation through
various forms OF amusement IL we
allow a generation to grow up
quite uuedueated in wholesome
leisure time practices.
Play Education Needed
"Too much time badly used Isl
bad for both the individual and
society. People have always spentl
their leisure time in the OLDEST
forms Of playgambling, drinking
and sex. All are socially un-.
desirable. Therefore education
must teach children, young people
and adults how 20 engage in
games. festivals. outdoor sports,
camping, musical organizations.
amateur draHlaties and the like.
Schools must promote actively
the idea that play belongs in a.
good hfe. Education must COM
has the notion that work is q great
virtue. The average persons
notion az work Is thoroughly de-
generate. The doctrines Of mod
ern business lead not Go happiness
bus 80 more factories, not to,
beauty bat IN more mills. not 10
health bat to more wheat and
eottnn.
TIE achievements - business
are lsuded as signs - progress
ard The success % financial enter.
prise set un A. a goal FOR ysuts -
aGs al, while al tire tsrae the iu-
crease sn negvoas and mental
diseases rr5es aseBsl sha: aa,8litv ta
itxe as as Organism II aR ggn-