The Work-Leisure Paradigm: The Stresses and Strains of Maintaining a Balanced Lifestyle

Abstract

Role overload, stress and lack of time for leisure characterise life in Western and other societies. This paper examines the changes in the work-leisure paradigm over the past four decades. The anticipated long-term decline in working hours was expected to result in increased leisure time. Researchers at various periods have examined theories on how work values have spilled over into leisure, and how leisure has compensated for stresses of work. Contrary to expectations, the 1980s and 1990s provided strong evidence that people worked longer hours; non-standard work hours were normalized; substantial underemployment and unemployment prevailed; and occupational restructuring resulted in workforces divided into the professional core, contractual fringe and flexible labour forces. The structuring of the labour force led to the development of three societies of leisure—consumers, industry workers and marginalised groups. The implications of the paper are discussed in terms of conflict, competition and cooperation in the struggle to achieve a work-leisure balance in contemporary life.