(Re)Defining Play

Gallery-How-to-play--A-wo-012

In my essay I will be re-defining the word play. Most people believe that playing is only for children and that eventually everyone grows out of the ridiculous concept. However the common characteristics of losing yourself in time through pretending to be somewhere or someone else are very common in adults as well. For example, Halloween or mascaraed balls are considered play. In these specific activities, the technique of masking is used to imagine another time, place or personality. Feeling as though you are in another place allows for people to escape the rules, regulations and judgment of the real world.  Although adults take on extensive responsibilities, it is also important that they take the time to play so be emotionally content. Too often are adults told to grow up or be more mature.  In my essay I would like to redefine play from a child’s activity to an activity for everyone.

Including the following narrative will provide a starting point for the imagination and hopefully lead to imagining a place where it is acceptable for adults to play.

Swinging back and forth on a swing at the park, two children laugh and pretend to be anywhere but on earth. As they play parents and babysitters sit on the benches monitoring their every move so they do not get hurt. These people feel a pang of jealousy for the freedom the children experience when playing in their own world.  Society as deemed it unacceptable to join and pretend along side your child for your own enjoyment rather than just to please your child.

kids swing

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