PS276 Chapter 7: ADOLESCENTS' FREE TIME
Document Summary
Prior to compulsory schooling, adolescents were expected to work full time but once they were barred from the labour force adolescents had free time after school. Organized leisure became an institutionalized part of adolescence as a supplement to school and a replacement for full time employment. Significant decline in proportion of time devoted to paid jobs, increase in time devoted to leisure. Time devoted to housework dropped among boys but not girls. More than 1/4 of all girls and nearly 1/4 of all boys spend all their leisure time in passive activities like watching tv, talking on phone, relaxing. Only 30 mins/day devoted to mentally challenging activities like reading, playing instrument. Individuals who were busy 9th graders likely to be busy throughout high school. Appear to be well rounded adolescents who have time commitments across different activities, adolescents who focus on one type of activity, and adolescents who are nonparticipants. Relatively busier adolescents are better adjusted and more achievement oriented.
