Leisure

970 Words2 Pages

Workaholism is rampant in American workplaces. Many professionals are so passionate about their careers that they continually accept new projects even when their calendars are already full and they have not had a day off in months. This inclination towards perfectionism is a strong sign that someone may be prone to workaholism. Work is hardly a substitute for things such as family, friends, or quality leisure time to relax and renew oneself. Through its growth in both wealth and power, America has developed a culture that is highly successful in advancing science, technology, and the economy, but by doing so, it has undermined the part of culture that provides its identity and the norms and values of daily life.
All employees are expected to attribute a certain level of commitment to their careers. It is important to understand the difference between workaholism and work engagement. Workaholics are best conceptualized by their attitude toward work, and not by the number of hours they spend at work. Today, a person typically becomes identified as a workaholic once his need for work has become so excessive that it creates a noticeable interference with his health, personal happiness, and interpersonal relations.
Historically, people went to work because they had to. After work, they would have leisure time. Now, with new management techniques, improved production, innovative inventory control methods, telecommunications, and other technological advancements, many people have moved their work into their homes. By eliminating the separation between the ‘work place’ and the ‘leisure territory’, the boundaries between work and leisure became blurred. Some people enjoy their work so much that it has filled the functions normally reserv...

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...e must be a homogeneous element that is recognized by the world as an exchangeable form of wealth. This element happens to be human labor, which is measure with money, or capital, which is then exchanged for our needs and wants. In America’s modern, capitalist society, work is necessary for survival.
Many people find the idea of leisure uncomfortable, arguing that leisure is not just an inevitable consequence of our free time, but idleness or laziness. They fear that if they take time away, even for a moment, all of their hard work will be lost. Aquinas, in his Summa Theologica, argues that idleness was the enemy not of work but of leisure. (McInerny) The best way we can view leisure is a recharging of our minds and bodies for work. It is a positive reality, which allows us to look beyond the cares and anxieties of our daily world, allowing us to become more human.

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