Posted on 02. Mar, 2004 by Brian Reid in General
As I’ve mentioned before, at-home parenthood isn’t a panacea for all that ails families. It’s an expensive choice and often an ambition-shrinking, career-limiting one. I can’t hold anyone’s decision to work against them. But let’s face a fact: in general, Americans work too much. That leads to all sorts of uncomfortable consequences, including — obviously — limiting family time.
So I’d like to heartily endorse the idea of “Take Back Your Time Day” (Oct. 24), when Americans shift their priorities away from the office. The group has an agenda that’s not so different from the one that we like to drone on about at parties — paid leave, a minimum level of vacation time, some more holidays (like Election Day … and Take Back Your Time Day).
(Thanks to an anonymous poster at the M.O.T.H.E.R. forums for the head’s up.)
Russ Louch
04. Mar, 2004
My last job was in IT. It was common for us to work 70-80 hrs a week, but I didn’t really even think twice about it. That was just what we “had” to do; if you worked hard, it would pay off. At least that’s what the owners kept telling us. :-/
I left 3 yrs ago to stay home with my kids. I really never realized what I was missing! Now it’s hard for me to think about giving up this time with my family to go back into the workforce.
Maybe “Take Back Your Time Day” will give some people a glimpse of what they’re missing too. Sounds good to me… but can American capitalism survive becoming more family friendly?
amyknight
16. Mar, 2004
Well, I think capitalism can survive just fine. Look at the Euro/Can countries that manage it. What may not be able to survive is American primacy. The money for that military’s got to come from somewhere. But I really don’t know; have yet to see anyone with numbers.
amy