The Time-Squeeze in American Families: From Causes to Solutions


	Trends and Challenges for Work in the 21st Century

Opinions and views in these papers are those expressed by the author(s). They are not to be taken as expressions of support for particular positions by the Department of Labor. Please do not cite these papers without prior permission of the author(s).

The Time-Squeeze in American Families:
From Causes to Solutions

Marin Clarkberg
Cornell University

This paper was presented at an Economic Policy Institute symposium on June 15, 1999. The symposium was funded by grants from the United States Department of Labor and the Alfred P. Sloan foundation. Opinions and views in the paper are those expressed by the author and in no way are they to be taken as expressions of support for these particular positions by the Department of Labor, the Alfred P. Sloan foundation, or the Economic Policy Institute.

Table of Contents

The Rise of the Time Squeeze in The U.S.

Why Have We Become So Rushed?

More Dual-Earner Couples, Working Harder Than Ever

The Household Workweek

Work Hours Patterns and Preferences in Married Couples

From Preferences to Behavior

The Great Structural Lag

The New “Rat Race”

Fostering Change