By Victoria Schofield - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

By Victoria SchofieldSociology 1020

Busy life in AmericaSlide2

Table of context

Reflection………………………….……….3

Time, overworking and being

overwhelmed……………………………….4

Cultural

pressures…………………….….5-6

Destruction: “Busy is a sickness

”…………7

Balance……………………………………...8Slide3

Reflection 1

Before

I began my research on the topic of busy life in America, I first asked myself how busy life in America could turn into a social problem. I don’t know much about this topic except for what I have experienced or seen in my personal life. That busy lives can have various effects on our emotional

and sometimes even physical health

. Being busy in America seems to be a common practice, there are so many things going on in everyone’s lives. Being busy can cause stress and anxiety on people. I know that being busy can also be a positive thing; it keeps your mind off of things that maybe someone shouldn’t be focused on. It can sometimes help with coping with things. I’m not sure how this could turn into a social problem except the fact that it would make you unavailable to socialize with people in the community. There would be no social life or time to communicate with other personalities.

Since

being busy and overworking is something almost all Americans have in common, I’m sure there are ways it affects our society. I’m excited to research more about this topic especially because it is a common practice in the U.S. I hope to gain a better understanding of how busy lives effect Americans.Slide4

Time, overworking and being overwhelmed

Being busy is a common factor in American society, especially in today’s day and age. Americans strive to keep themselves way to busy which results in the overwhelmed, stressed and a time restrained citizen.

Time seems to be the Americans enemy. With busy schedules and overworking already taking a toll on Americans, the constant feeling of being rushed only adds to this overwhelming lifestyle. Its always a race with time.

The United States is the most overworked developed nation in the world. 85.8 percent of males and 66.5 percent of females work more than 40 hours per week.

The U.S does not have any laws that set the maximum length of the work week, like other countries do.

There is not a federal law requiring paid sick days in the U.S.

Overworking in America leads to more stress and lower quality of life, keeping in mind that stress in the number one cause of health problems. Slide5

Cultural pressures

Technology seems rule our society, everything we do revolves around a smart phone , laptop or computer. This causes Americans to not be fully present with their surroundings, since now technology can be on the go as easy as not.

These technologies innovations are supposedly their to make our lives easy, simple and fast. Yet in a recent article, “The Disease of Being Busy.”

O

mid

S

afi says “we have no more “free” or leisurely time today than we did decades ago.” These technologies give Americans no division between the office and home, “when the kids are in bed, we are back online.” Safi continues to discuss how technology is making Americans lose the ability to live a human life, “It’s not just about “leaning in” or faster iPhones. We want to be truly human.” Slide6

Cultural pressures continued

Female employment in America has been rising over the years,

according

to the Center for American Progress on the topic of

Work and Family L

i

fe Balance, “in 1960, only 20 percent of mothers worked. Today, 70 percent of American children live in household where all adults are employed.”

Cultural pressures on being a ‘good’ mother are having mothers feeling guilt and with some social pressures are trying to fulfill idealized notions of motherhood.

“Pressed for Time: The Acceleration of Life in Digital Capitalism,” by Judy Watchman gives the modern day challenge mothers are faced with.

She begins by saying talking about the “dual income households, mothers still handle the lion’s share of parenting-particular the daily routine jobs that never feel finished.” The book gives insight on how women may be doing less work around the house than they used to, but the tasks that they do have to do, tend to be never-ending. She talks about how well educated men “chip in far more than their fathers ever did,” they still only “put in half of what women do.” This book is showing that working mothers are feeling scarce and overwhelmed. Slide7

Destruction: “Busy is a sickness”

Americans busy lifestyle is a slow path to destruction of our health and wellbeing. When we live such stressful, overwhelming lives, it only effects us physically, emotionally and mentally.

An article written in the Huffington Post called “Busy is a Sickness” illustrates the real effects of being overly busy. In the article it gives an insight from The American Psychological Association, concluding in a study about Stress in America, that “the majority of Americans recognize that their stress exceeds levels necessary to maintain good health.” and the most frequent reason they cite for not addressing the problem is “being too busy.” “A vicious cycle. "The article finds examples to further this notion that being busy is indeed a sickness and disease.

Doctor Susan Coven wrote in the Boston Globe column in 2013 “

I've observed an epidemic of sorts: patient after patient suffering from the same

condition,” and resulting in”

The condition is excessive busyness

.”

The article refers to busyness as an epidemic in America. It discussed the 2 types of businesses that everyone should be aware of. First, busyness without control, this mainly effects the poor. How to keep your family “afloat” you must work multiple jobs, this type of busyness is something that cant be controlled. The second type is busyness we control, busyness that we control is a self created stress.

It concludes with how we are afraid of ourselves. Americans are “defined by what we do. Our careers. What we produce. It

’

s the first question asked at parties, and often the first tidbit of information we share with strangers.” We feel as if if we aren't doing something then we are less of a person or unworthy. Slide8

Balance

Its clear that Americans aren't going to instantly start working less hours, have a “free” day or free up their schedules, so its important to know how to balance life.

“A Helpful Guide to Becoming Unbusy,” gives key points to consider in maintaining a balances life:

1. Realize that being busy is a choice

2. Stop the glorification of busy

3. Appreciate and schedule rest

4. Revisit your priorities

5. Own fewer possessions

6. Cultivate space in your daily routine

7. Find freedom in the word, “no”

“Busy does not need to define you. Unbusy is possible. Its okay to be happy with a calm life. And doesn't

’

t that sound wonderful right abut now?”