Kraus' Recreation and Leisure in Modern Society 10th Edition by Daniel McLean, Linda Dayer-Berenson, Brian Luke Seaward, Amy Hurd

تمرين 17

The YMCA as the Prototype of the Social Movement of the Late 1800s
The Young Men's Christian Association was founded in London, England, in 1844 and migrated to the United States in 1851. George Williams was the founder of the YMCA, working with friends to find a way to get people off of London's streets. "The YMCA idea, which began among evangelicals, was unusual because it crossed the rigid lines that separated all the different churches and social classes in England in those days. This openness was a trait that would lead eventually to including in YMCAs all men, women and children, regardless of race, religion or nationality. Also, its target of meeting social need in the community was dear from the start." a
The movement grew rapidly. Within several years, YMCAs were started in Boston and other American cities. Initially, only those converted to evangelical churches could become members. Soon, however, young men were allowed to join even if not converted, although the management of the association was reserved to members of evangelical churches. …
Although the causes of the association's expansion are not clear, certain factors stand out. First, the definite Christian orientation of the movement tied it into the religious revivals of the time. The YMCA participated in organizing tent revivals as well as sponsoring prayer meetings, Bible readings, and lecture series. Thus the YMCA movement had definite goals and programs that focused its members' energies. Second, the movement spread by a diffusion process based on local enthusiasm rather than by a process of centralized direction and allocation of personnel. Visitors to the London YMCA or to the early YMCA in Boston became enthusiastic about the idea and took it back to their own communities. This method of expansion depended on strong local support, ensuring a continuing base in each community. Finally, each local YMCA usually had a reading room, a list of job openings, a coffee shop, and a list of wholesome boarding homes. These gave the association a material base in the community and also allowed it to minister to some of the basic needs of the young, single male." b
It became obvious to the leaders that if the YMCA was going to grow and serve a broader population it needed to adapt, so "the basic goal of the organization changed from evangelism to the broader and more secularized one of developing the 'whole man'; membership criteria were successively broadened to include all religions, ages, and both sexes; and control was extended to followers of any religion." Also, "program emphasis shifted away from the overtly religious to the development of the mental, physical, and social capacities of members. The inclusion of activities for physical training created more conflict than did programs for mental or intellectual development, because it challenged conservative religious views of the proper forms of recreation." c
One of the other factors that has made the YMCA successful was the effort to avoid politics. YMCA services have focused on prevention rather than rehabilitation. The YMCA "has generally implemented its goals by serving clientele rather than by attempting to change the environment." d
Discuss the differences between a preventive and rehabilitative organization.