Chapter 12 Recreation

Reference:  Successful Marriages and Families, Hawkins, Dollahite and Draper, Chapter 22: "Wholesome Family Recreation:  Building Strong Families," Widmer, Mark A and Taniguchi, Stacy. 

"We suffer from depression, anxiety, and discontent. We spend an inordinate amount of time with electronic media and, as a result, become disconnected from one another.  We have lost vital and nourishing connections to nature; many of us do not exercise, are overweight, and work too much.  Wholesome family recreation can help us strengthen our relationships and reduce negative emotional and spiritual consequences.  Wholesome recreation strengthens families."  (p225)

For the best effect, choose contributory not consumptive activities.

"Research suggests that joint activities lead to the highest marital satisfaction. (230)

"Family recreation can create a positive home environment where adolescents feel comfortable discussing conflicts and personal issues.  Family recreation also promotes healthy identity development (231).

"If we are drawn to seek wealth, material goods, and pleasure in the pursuit of happiness, we are likely to miss important opportunities for wholesome family recreation.  We may find ourselves struggling with emotional and social difficulties" (234).  Activities that promote family are more important than anything else money can buy.