Leisurely Activities of the Victorian Era: The Significance to Modern Day

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Entertainment in modern America is the key element associated with free time, whether it be surfing the web or watching a movie; pastimes that surpass class and gender. Up until the Victorian Era of England, leisure pursuits were only enjoyed by the wealthy. After the rise of the Industrial Revolution, however, the middle class grew and relaxing activities became numerous as free time was no longer only reserved for the rich. New forms of entertainment were enjoyed both by the working and elite as well as men and women of the Victorian Era to fill leisure time; a way of life that has continued through modern day.

In years previous to the Industrial Revolution, there had been a large gap between the upper and working class, and the poor had little to no time or money for entertainment. The rise of factories and industry opened up new occupations and opportunities for working men to accumulate wealth and skill during the Victorian Era. New middle class jobs included entrepreneurs and professionals such as engineers, lawyers, and doctors. Even more importantly, the growth of the middle class and suburbs led to the expansion of government with new administrators, officers and lawmakers who worked to improve urban living conditions and lifestyles (Swisher 68). Between 1850 and 1875, the rise of railroads and social changes led to the growth of leisure for all classes.

Industrial legislation and trade union activism reduced the work week, resulting in a Saturday half-holiday for many workers. All the while wages rose steadily, and newly efficient and cheap means of intracity transport allowed laborers to leave their ghettos for places of leisure. Moreover, a park and playground movement […] provided space previously unavailable for ...

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...ureau of Labor Statistics. United States Department of Labor, 12 Jan. 2011. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. .

Clark, Stephen Hall. "The Development of Leisure in Britain after 1850." The Victorian Web. 1996. Web. 16 Nov. 2011.

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Malheiro, B. "Victorian Fun and Games - The Growth of Leisure." Logic Mgmt. Web Services. 1999. Web. 20 Nov. 2011.

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Mitchell, Sally. "Leisure and Pleasure: Holidays, Sports, and Recreation." Daily Life in Victorian England. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1996. Print. 209-38.

Swisher, Clarice. "The Rise of the Middle Class." Victorian England. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 2001. Print. 66-78.

"Victorian Leisure." AVictorian.com. Network Solutions. 1996. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. .

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