More Work—Less Leisure? Changing Allocations of Time in Canada, 1981 to 1992

Abstract

This article assesses changes in the distribution of time to major groups of daily activities in Canada between 1981 and 1992, and identifies social groups which have been exposed during this period to the greatest pressures of paid and unpaid work. The article examines, in particular: (a) trends in the allocation of time to paid work, domestic work, combined loads of paid and unpaid work, personal needs, and free time; (b) the changing composition of domestic and free time activities; and (c) Canadians' subjective perceptions of being pressed for time compared to the not so distant past (five years ago). Trends in the use of time and perceived time pressure are controlled for gender and life cycle situation. An attempt is made to relate the changes in the use of time to larger social and economic trends, and to outline policy implications of the findings.