Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I think the idea is that if living standards are improved (for example - time for leisure, health, good food, family etc.) that people will get by with less money. There may be some middle way between the existing system and an imposed 21 hour working week. Germany would entertain this idea at least as their culture is very family orientated (for instance - they do not open their shops on a sunday so people do not have to work in the retail sector). Here in Britain, on the other hand, this would never wash. We work the most hours in Europe.
In the 50s all people needed was a 700 sq ft house for the whole family, one car and very little in the way of entertainment. A family did not need a plasma TV, multiple laptops, a cell phone for each family member, 2-3 cars, 2000+ sq. foot homes, etc.
Our current generation has an enormous sense of entitlement. What was a luxury in the 50s is a necessity today.
I am 23 years old and don't make more than the national average, but I could definately support an entire family living the lifestyle I do.
Interestingly, a cheaper 1950's B & W TV would be comparable in price with a nice 42" LCD (flat-screen) TV today. I hate when people use TVs as a gauge of materialism...we spend less on those today, both in absolute and relative terms, than we did at pretty much any other time in history (except perhaps the 1990s, but even that's dubious.
Likewise, a laptop runs as low as $250 - $300 today.
Seriously though, the 21 hour week is thought of as a measure to improve productivity overall and reduce levels of national unemployment with the effect of alleviating the social defecit of this. On an individual level, 21 hours may or may not be enough as it is almost certain that wages/salary will not increase if the working week is downsized.
If this were to be brought in -the worst part would be the initial period when people readjust to having less wages but more spare time. The implications of 21hours a week of work for all would be huge and extensive.
I think the idea is that if living standards are improved (for example - time for leisure, health, good food, family etc.) that people will get by with less money. There may be some middle way between the existing system and an imposed 21 hour working week. Germany would entertain this idea at least as their culture is very family orientated (for instance - they do not open their shops on a sunday so people do not have to work in the retail sector). Here in Britain, on the other hand, this would never wash. We work the most hours in Europe.
It is funny, I grew up in Germany and although I left years ago and in most places I have lived so far shops are open on Sundays, I still don't enter any shop on Sundays. It is like a taboo to me.
Anyway, I work around 18 to 20 hours a week and it is great that way.
I agree that people who grew up thinking a full-time job is the only way to live must find it hard to adapt to anything less. My father retired gradually, not all of a sudden from 100% to 0% work. And he did not know what to do with the extra time he had to his disposal in the afternoon, he had no hobbies or perspectives outside his work. So he sat around, waiting for my mother to come home from work, more or less like a dog
Interestingly, a cheaper 1950's B & W TV would be comparable in price with a nice 42" LCD (flat-screen) TV today. I hate when people use TVs as a gauge of materialism...we spend less on those today, both in absolute and relative terms, than we did at pretty much any other time in history (except perhaps the 1990s, but even that's dubious.
Likewise, a laptop runs as low as $250 - $300 today.
(Now cable / satellite is another story)
The physical TV is only a small percentage of the cost. How does the 42" tv for the family room, the two tvs for the bedrooms, the speaker system, the DVD player (all the DVDs!) and the monthly cable bill compare to that single TV in the '50s? I agree the TV itself is comparable, but NO family has only a TV today.
Seriously though, the 21 hour week is thought of as a measure to improve productivity overall and reduce levels of national unemployment with the effect of alleviating the social defecit of this. On an individual level, 21 hours may or may not be enough as it is almost certain that wages/salary will not increase if the working week is downsized.
If this were to be brought in -the worst part would be the initial period when people readjust to having less wages but more spare time. The implications of 21hours a week of work for all would be huge and extensive.
This is why you gotta love think tanks. Nobody else could come up with a proposal that cuts your income, but increases your leisure time. Not a peep about how you're supposed to enjoy that additional leisure time without the money.
Although it does have the benefit of providing work for think tank employees.
It is funny, I grew up in Germany and although I left years ago and in most places I have lived so far shops are open on Sundays, I still don't enter any shop on Sundays. It is like a taboo to me.
Anyway, I work around 18 to 20 hours a week and it is great that way.
I agree that people who grew up thinking a full-time job is the only way to live must find it hard to adapt to anything less. My father retired gradually, not all of a sudden from 100% to 0% work. And he did not know what to do with the extra time he had to his disposal in the afternoon, he had no hobbies or perspectives outside his work. So he sat around, waiting for my mother to come home from work, more or less like a dog
People live to work and I think this attitude can be traced back to, what Max Weber called 'The Protestant work ethic'. This label is more relevant to the times in which this sociologist deemed it a phenomenon of industrial society (19th Century). But the idea of a 'work ethic' or a moral obligation to work oneself into the ground (in effect) with excessive hours of gainful employment dominates the culture of work.
I, like Neuling, work around 20hours a week and earn enough to get by. I like to have time to think. I have always been told that 'time to think' is a dangerous thing. I think this goes hand in hand with the notion that 'the devil makes work for idle hands'.
As for shopping on Sunday - I have just spent a lot of time in the Ruhr area and thought the German mentality towards work and the 'decommercialised' nature of a Sunday was wonderful.
Last edited by LauSpeaks; 05-10-2010 at 10:20 AM..
Reason: Typo
I think this would be a great way to increase productivity, decrease stress, improve quality of life, among many other things. We would have more time for family and to do chores, cook healthy meals, and just enjoy life more. I think this would be a much better idea than to let people retire at age 40, which there was a thread about not too long ago. HOWEVER, 21 hours just doesn't seem like enough to keep somebody busy, in my opinion we should start by going to 30 hours and then see how that works out. What do you guys think??
We can be just like Greece. Great idea!
Of course, those who want to remain productive will just continue to work normal hours. Those who work 21 hours and make less will complain about the differences in salary.
Where does it say working 21 hours per week would cut your wages? the work week should be cut but the wages stay the same. Then the working people would have some money to spend in their leisure time just like the rich.
Where does it say working 21 hours per week would cut your wages? the work week should be cut but the wages stay the same. Then the working people would have some money to spend in their leisure time just like the rich.
Indeed! People work and work making the rich even richer.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
