Shorter work weeks

The Boston College Magazine includes a short essay this month from Juliet Schor, an economist who notes all the benefits that might derive from a 20 hour work week. I’ve been arguing for some time now that the same way unions fought and won the 40 hour work week, it’s time we all fought for a 20 hour work week. It’s fun to see that someone else — especially someone with the appropriate scholarly credentials — agrees. Among other things she writes;

With the normal workweek as low as 20 hours (plus seven weeks of vacation), two-income households with children could easily do without paid child care. People would have plenty of time for community and volunteer work, perhaps meaning less need for government social spending. It would be easy to pursue a passion, like playing music, or woodworking, or quilting, or fishing.

And, I would add, it would easy to be involved in religious communities and electoral politics. Yes, we would have to give up some things — among them the large amount of “disposable” income we seem to require for material acquisition — but we would gain something far more priceless, time to be in right relationship.