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By Paul J. Rosch, M.D.
Perhaps the most distinctive characteristic of contemporary life is its markedly accelerated tempo. Most of us are caught up in a harried, time-urgent existence imposed by societal pressures as well as by our enhanced communication capabilities. Four or five generations ago, we might not have learned about a revolt in Somalia or an earthquake in Japan until days-or weeks-after the event, nor would it have had much impact on our daily lives. Today, information pours in constantly from every corner of the globe instantaneously and must be processed regardless of our level of interest. And, because of the global marketplace, events in far-off places can have an impact on our professional or personal lives. For most of us, there are simply not enough hours in the day-and certainly not enough time for leisure pursuits or to enjoy your retirement.
Is Leisure Time Becoming Extinct?
In contrast, our predecessors, although not rich in the sense of material possessions, and spending hours each day watching television, enjoyed an existence that afforded more time for simple pleasures. Today, time is money, and leisure has become a luxury. Despite a variety of labor-saving devices and technologies designed to save time, there is less and less available for TV-less leisure pursuits. A very recent survey of 3,000 male executives revealed that 55% worked at least 60 hours a week, and 29% admitted to 70 hours or more. This has significant effects on others. Working mothers have it even worse. Not only does work take away from leisure, time activities needed to strengthen domestic bonds, but 58% of those surveyed reported that overtime work was a frequent cause of family fights.
Annually, Americans today work an equivalent of one month more than their parents did. And they are experiencing much more stress as they try to take care of the increase in other obligations, in less and less leisure time. Because of this increasing time crunch, there has been some backlash. One survey indicates that nearly 50% of American workers interviewed would be willing to sacrifice a day's pay for an extra day off.
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