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Work, Rest, and Play: Exploring Trends in Time Allocation in Canada and the United States

Author

Listed:
  • McFarlane, Adian
  • Tedds, Lindsay

Abstract

We control for demographic changes to document trends in the allocation of time using time diary data for Canada (1986 to 2005) and the United States (1985 to 2005). We find that (1) in 2005, average weekly hours spent on market work is higher in Canada than in the U.S. (37.29 vs. 33.29) , (2) between 1986 and 2005 market work increased by an average of 3.75 hours per week in Canada, but in the U.S it remained relatively stable, and (3) over the sample period, leisure time increased in the U.S., but fell in Canada. In addition, the least educated enjoy more leisure relative to the most highly educated in both countries but this inequality is narrowing for Canadian men.

Suggested Citation

  • McFarlane, Adian & Tedds, Lindsay, 2007. "Work, Rest, and Play: Exploring Trends in Time Allocation in Canada and the United States," MPRA Paper 4211, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:4211
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    File URL: https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/4211/1/MPRA_paper_4211.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mario Fortin & Pierre Fortin, 1999. "The Changing Labour Force Participation of Canadians, 1969-96: Evidence from a Panel of Six Demographic Groups," A Symposium on Canadian Labour Force Participation in the 1990s (Special Issue of Canadian Business Economics, Volume 7, Number 2, May 1999), in: Andrew Sharpe & Louis Grignon (ed.),A Symposium on Canadian Labour Force Participation in the 1990s (Special Issue of Canadian Business Economics, Volume 7, Number 2, May 1999), pages 12-24, Centre for the Study of Living Standards.
    2. Hamermesh, Daniel S. & Pfann, Gerard A., 2005. "Time-use data in economics," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 49(1), pages 1-7, January.
    3. Mark Aguiar & Erik Hurst, 2007. "Measuring Trends in Leisure: The Allocation of Time Over Five Decades," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 122(3), pages 969-1006.
    4. Fuess Jr., Scott M., 2006. "Leisure Time in Japan: How Much and for Whom?," IZA Discussion Papers 2002, IZA Network @ LISER.
    5. Juster, F Thomas & Stafford, Frank P, 1991. "The Allocation of Time: Empirical Findings, Behavioral Models, and Problems of Measurement," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 29(2), pages 471-522, June.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O57 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Comparative Studies of Countries
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation

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    1. Papers and articles using the American Time Use Survey (ATUS)

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