Because it seems like, back in the days of farming, it would have been a bad idea to take a vacation during summer. I get why school would be out. But, when/where did the tradition of the entire family going on a summer vacation originate?
To jump on. Can someone explain the summer farming thing connection. I would have thought that spring / planting and fall harvesting would have required the most labor. Summer is when the plants are doing their growing.
Not sure if this is just an american thing - australia has a much more broken up school year (terms broken up by two week holidays, with the exception of a longer break at christmas - which is our summer, but it is only 5-6 weeks break).
You are right. Farmers can't go on vacation, especially if they have a livestock operation.
The family vacation originated with the very wealthy who could move to the countryside in the heat of summer. It is an urban concept that has been repeated many places.