Rational Recreation
Historical Studies
The Spec Says...
Rational recreation in post-industrial Britain and its impact on contemporary participation
and performance
Candidates should be able to contrast the post-industrial social and cultural factors
relating to rational recreation with pre-industrial social and cultural factors relating to
popular recreation.
Candidates should be able to:
• describe the characteristics of rational recreation (including respectability, regularity,
regionalisation, codification, more controlled wagering) and an understanding of how
these differed from the characteristics of popular recreation;
• explain how social and cultural factors influenced the nature and development of
rationalised sports and pastimes with reference to:
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the industrial revolution and associated urban and agrarian revolutions;
the emergence of an urban middle class;
changes in work conditions that improved health and affected participation;
increases in free time (Saturday half day and early closing movement) for industrial working class
(a move towards more balanced, active and healthy lifestyles);
the transport revolution and the impact of the railways (increased opportunity for participation
and the development and spread of sport);
changing views of the Church towards sport and recreation;
amateurism and professionalism;
the place and status of women in Victorian Britain; increased participation by middle-class women
by the end of the 19th century.
Learning Objectives:
• All: State the characteristics of Rational
Recreation
• Most: Explain the characteristics of Rational
Recreation and identify differences with
Popular Recreation
• Some: Begin to analyse and provide good
examples of these characteristics to then and
now
Rational Recreation
• By the mid 19th century, Britain was a fully
industrialised or mechanised society.
• Railways were have a massive impact (Why?)
• Ex-public schoolboys were promoting sport
throughout the world
• Rational recreation differed from Popular
recreation in terms of what was played, who was
playing it, when they played it and how the
pastime was played.
• These changes reflected the societal change
Lawn Tennis, a Rational Recreation. Why? Discuss with the person
next to you. Think of possible characteristics this picture displays
(2 mins)
Characteristics of Rational Recreation
O’Dwyer Tips:
Identify any Rational Recreation Characteristics
Identify any Rational Recreation Characteristics
Identify any Rational Recreation Characteristics
Quick Test
Find a blank piece of paper.
You have 30 seconds to memorise the 10 characteristics.
Then you must list them on your paper.
Rational Recreation Characteristics
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Regional /national/international
Codification, administration
Respectable
Fair play
Regular
Exclusive/Elitist
Urban/Sub-Urban
Control of Gambling
Amateurism/Professionalism
Purpose Built Facilities
Learning Objectives:
• All: State the characteristics of Rational
Recreation
• Most: Explain the characteristics of Rational
Recreation and identify differences with
Popular Recreation
• Some: Begin to analyse and provide good
examples of these characteristics to then and
now