How Do We Spend Our Time?

Evidence from the American Time Use Survey

Introductory chapter | Table of Contents

Economists have long been interested in the analysis of how people decide to spend their time. Up until recently, however, studies of this nature were limited by a lack of high-quality time-use data. In 2003, after years of study and preparation, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics initiated the annual American Time Use Survey. This survey is derived from a selected subsample of the outgoing rotation group of the Current Population Survey. Respondents report how they spend their time (in 15 minute intervals), with whom, and where. These detailed data open a window on how Americans spend their time and afford economists the opportunity to gain a better understanding of everyday life.

This book offers contributions from a number of noted economists who exploit this new source of data to reveal findings that have numerous implications for the U.S. labor market. The authors examine topics such as child care, housework, household production and consumption, and shift work. In each case, the focus is on the value of time and how time spent on one activity instead of another represents value gained for the first activity and value lost for the second.

188 pp. 2008
$40 cloth ISBN 0-88099-338-3 / ISBN-13 978-0-88099-338-8
$20 paper ISBN 0-88099-337-5 / ISBN-13 978-0-88099-337-1

Shopping Cart Operations

For MasterCard/Visa holders, accumulate titles in the Shopping Cart and submit your order electronically.

Shopping Cart Operations

• Add this book to cart
• Review and change cart contents

• Secure checkout