This article summarizes the findings from Aguiar and Hurst (2007, 2008) with respect to changes in time allocation—particularly leisure—within the United States during the last four decades. Included in our measure of leisure is all time people spend watching television, playing sports, socializing with friends and family, reading, engaging in hobbies, and relaxing. The results from Aguiar and Hurst indicate that leisure has increased for both men and women, since 1965, by roughly 5 and 3.5 h per week, respectively. However, most of these gains occurred prior to 1985 and the trends for women have some been somewhat reversed over the last decade.
In addition, Aguiar and Hurst (2007, 2008) show that for both men and women, leisure inequalityhas increased, particularly after 1985. Specifically, since 1965, less educated men and women have experienced substantial leisure increases, while their more educated counterparts have experienced little, if any, leisure gains. The trends in…
Aguiar, M., &Hurst, E. (2009). A summary of trends in American time allocation: 1965–2005. Social Indicators Research, 93(1), 57-64.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-008-9362-0
