Recreation is an activity that people engage in during their free time. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be “fun”. Unlike organized sports, what is generally called recreation in the United States is not expected to encourage competition. For this reason, it is much more spontaneous and serves the individual’s needs beyond the competitive world of work. Nevertheless, much can be learned about the values of Americans from an examination of the kinds of recreation in which they engage.
