Americans are starved for time. Since 1969, the annual hours of work of employed
Americans have risen markedly — by approximately 140 hours, or more than an additional
three weeks. This increase includes both hours on the job and time spent working at
home. As a result, leisure, or free time, has declined as well. Increasing numbers of
people are finding themselves overworked,. stressed out, and heavily taxed by the joint
demands of work and family life.