Blair, Vivian H.

Texas A&amp;M Repository

10 -")..'1 ~7'1&TS~L-862lEISURE TIME AND THE RETIREEVivían H. Blair*"Free time from employment" is Webster'sdefinition for leisure. People in the field ofgerontology, the science of aging, refer to this periodof life as the after-retirement years, free time, bonusyears, unscheduled time 01' nonwork years.More people are living beyond retirement todaythan ever before, and the numbers will continueto increase. Sorne say that retirement 01' leisureyears will range from 20 to 35 in the foreseeablefuture. Sorne believe that the work week willshrink to 20 hours in the next clecade. Thus, thisnew freedom or leisure time has become important,not only to the recipient, but to all of society.Reactions to AgingLeisure time comes so rapidly to so many thatsorne gerontologists say our aging population willreact in one of three ways: they will misuse andabuse it and regress; they will use it to preservetheir health ancl restore and maintain the statusquo; they will use it to improve ancl strengthenpersonality. One authority says most people clonot know how to retire. Old age to many peoplemeans too much time and too little money.Many misconceptions exist about leisure time.It has long been accepted that man was macle towork. Sorne say we neecl to be strong in our philos-ophy about work, and a happy, healthy retirementwill come. Others believe that leisure time is wellearned and honorable. Modern men are beginningto look upon leisure as a human right.Today, many people have leisure time, and mostof them are agecl. Sorne believe that retirees withideas know where to look for new sources of inter-est, but those who have worked primarily withpeople ancl things show little skill in finding newinterests. Many observers agree that the elclerlyare generally unpreparecl to cope with this newfreedom.Planning for RetirementThe best planning for leisure time begins earlyin life. When retirement comes, there will likely*Exlcnsion specialist in family life education·aging, TheTexas A&M UniversilY Syslem.8.9be many interests and activities to fill these hours.Too, planning helps develop a positive attitudewhich is vital to gaining new interests.One large company urges chilclren of the elderlyto help them continue activities in church, volun-teer jobs, part-time employment or any social activ-ity of their interest. The company believes thatany one of these activities may help the aged toremain happy, to be active and to achieve com-munity status. The retiree often feels the loss ofthe status connectecl with his former position.Retirement or leisure time that is truly satis-fying is based on sorne general requirements:• Adequate health, finances ancl housing.• Establishment of true companionship withspouse.• Satisfactory reIigious expression orparticipation.• Development of interests outside the jobo• Decision on what to do and actionsaccording to abilities and stamina.• A feeling of acceptance in the community.There are many leisure-time activities to choosefrom. How do you make a choice? This dependson your individual interests or personal likes anddislikes. There should be a good balance. Do notlimit your interest to one activity.Suppose you are interested only in golf, and itrains-what a pity! Cultivate interests to enjoyTexas Agricultural Extension Service e The Texas A&M University System e John E. Hutchison, Director e College Stationalone, with friends and with family. Health mayforce the abandonment of one or more interests,even a favorite, but with variety there are others tofall back on. Just don't have too much variety.Over-involvement may cause confusion, and thenthe interests pursue the personoActivities for the AgingThe range of activities is great. What will yourintere t be?Reading (newspapers, books, magazines)Traveling (short or long trips, sightseeing,exploring) .Games (spectator or participant)Physical activities (jogging, walking, exercising,fishing, hunting)Music (listening or performing)Gardening (in and out, vegetable, flower,ornamental)Arts and crafts (painting, camping, weaving,woodwork)Do-it-yourself projects (carpentry, needlework)Moneymaking projects (babysitting, handyman)Collecting (stamps, coins, antiques,glassware)Science (ham radio, study chemistry,archaeology)riting (history of your family or county,pioneer-day stories)Study (high school or college credit, a language)Volunteer services (church, nursing homes,hospitals, 4-H leader, civic committee)Politics (city, county or other office)Theater (performing or spectator)Pets (enjoyment, training, breeding)Loafing (doing nothing-just sitting, rocking)The big question is: "What will be done withleisure time?" Since many individuals are un-prepared for using it, much could be accomplishedif each would work toward these goals:• Establishing a positive attitude concerningleisure and work.• Directing this "huge reservoir of creativeenergies" toward productive living.• Helping others begin early in life to developinner capacities for self-expression and differ-ing interests.REFERENCESJacobs, H. Lee, and others. The Older Person inthe Family. Iowa State University, Iowa City,1965.Rose, Arnold. Older People and Their SocialWork. F. A. David Co., Philadelphia, 1965.Smith, Ethel S. The Dynamics 01 Aging. W. W.Norton and Co., New York City, 1956.Time in Your Hands. The Equitable Life Assur-ance Society of the United States, 1218 Avenueof the Americas, New York City, 1965.Educational progra111S conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service serve people 01 al! ages regardless 01 socio-econondclevels, race, color, ex, religion or national originoCooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, The Texas A&M University System and the Unit d StatesDeparttnent of Agriculture cooperating. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8, 191 , as amended, andJune 30, 1914.10M-3-74, Revised FLE 3

Leisure Time and The Retiree.

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Leisure Time and The Retiree.

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Leisure Time and The Retiree.

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