2008
Centro de Educação, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco
Dissertação
Mestrado em Educação
134
The theme of this study is Leisure Education in the city of Vicência between 1965 and 1970.The chosen time period coincides with the the existence of one of the most important historical markers: the Ginásio Comercial de Vicência, whose proposed purpose was educational development in Vicência. This objective was supported by the work of Professor Sebastião Santana, one of its main social actors who was also responsible for the creation of leisure education in this city. Vicência offered different leisure options for youth, but these were found in small dispersed groups, with no unity between them. The three most frequented social spaces for youth were: Soccer, the Church and a street referred to as Rua da Telha. The latter of these was denied as a leisure activity by the city”s population, due to the principles and values of the Catholic Church. Within this context, leisure education emerged in Vicência presenting two faces: the first concentrated on amplifying and diversifying the leisure practices of youth, contributing towards minimizing social isolation and the sensation of tedium or routine; the second presented a functionalist character, turning leisure education into an instrument at the service of the interests of the Catholic Church, with the intention of preserving “good customs” and encouraging the practice of “good social habits”. However, despite a certain ambiguity (promotion of enjoyment, on one hand, and social control, on the other), leisure education in Vicência was fundamental in the development of increased alternatives and leisure spaces (club, sports gym, soccer stadium and some plazas/squares).