Considering the etymology, “working” finds its roots in the Latin term “tripalium,” which referred to a tool utilized for torture (Davis, 1977). Despite the seemingly perplexing connection between the word and its connotation, work has consistently served as a marker, akin to a societal litmus test, for delineating social stratification.

-Do you work?
-Yes.
-Sorry, you are not a noble then.
-Do you work for yourself?
-No.
-Sorry, you are nothing but a modern slave.

This classification stands in stark contrast to the contemporary conception of leisure time. Today, social stratification is heavily influenced by factors such as occupation, educational attainment, marital status, and even gender, rather than solely by one’s relationship with work.

II-Big bang of the Torture: Back to the Old Times

After skimming the table below, it is quite clear why the period of hunter-gathering has always been considered as “a paradise” (4 hours per workday!). In the Ancient Age and Roman Empire, working was considered a type of punishment and thus, labor with its derogatory nature and drudgery was symbolic of belonging to a lower social class such as slavery (Arendt, 1958; Savoter, 2000; Barden, 2006). Due to this, it is easy to imagine those who do not work (do not need to work to survive) are: Elites! As an elite, you must abstain from using for your valuable time for the toils of labor. For this reason, leisure was a hallmark of belonging to an elite class.   Therefore, all types of work are dirty and dirty working only fit for slaves, lower class people, and women.

The total time devoted to working at the beginning of the industrial age has immensely increased and has reached the climax of 3.500 hours per year  (Yeah, that´s a lot!). During the industrial era, where people work 12 or more hours per day, can be expressed as hell on earth.  Again, as might be expected, most of the labor comes from kids, women, immigrants and in general from lower class people.

III. Time Slaves:  Industrial Societies
The necessity of work has become ingrained in the fabric of industrial societies, a reality that might not bring joy to everyone, especially those with noble aspirations. In Western capitalist nations like the United States, where Protestant work ethics have historically held sway, idling away time and straying from a structured work lifestyle were deemed cardinal sins akin to squandering money (Weber, 1984; Robinson and Godbey, 1997). This implies that regardless of one’s social background or level of elitism, engaging in productive labor is essential for survival, gaining a larger share of the pie, or affirming one’s social status.
Moreover, the adage “time is money, and money is time” underscores the imperative not to squander either precious resource.

—Furthermore, time is money, and money is time. You should not waste any significant part of either of them.

IV. Time free times: Post-Industrial Societies
Democracy and modern economies are determining factors of the game through the late 19th  and early 20th centuries all around the world. The heated debates on working –life ethics have caused a sharp decline in working hours (7-8 hours by law) due to the welfare state legislation, introducing paid and national holidays, union´s contributions, expanding public services and retirement payments particularly after the 1970´s (Gershuny and Sullivan, 2003; Marshall and Scott, 2009).

The advent of industrialization brought about a plethora of conveniences for individuals, ranging from household appliances to advancements in public transportation and the burgeoning movie industry (Toffler, 1970; Mackenzie and Waldo, 1981; Sennett, 1998; Seidel and Verwiebe, 2006). Correspondingly, the concept of leisure has undergone a transformation, evolving into more commercialized forms.

As basic needs were increasingly met through the strides of the industrial age, the post-industrial era witnessed a shift where once-necessities became luxuries compared to times past. Consequently, leisure time expanded alongside its commercialized and individualistic perceptions, catering to these evolving needs (Braverman, 1974). Picture this: you’re on a seesaw, but instead of kids on either end, there are buckets labeled “leisure time” and “work time.” The name of the game? Balance. So, how do you fill those buckets?

Leisurepreneur: You treat yourself like the VIP client you are. Your leisure time isn’t just a break; it’s an investment in yourself. You’ve got a game plan, whether it’s mastering a new language, binge-watching classic films, or taking up underwater basket weaving. Your leisure is all about self-development and recreation.

Leisure Buffet Regular: You’re the loyal patron of the leisure buffet. After punching out, you’ve got loads of time to kill, and you’re not shy about indulging in the cultural smorgasbord. But here’s the catch: you’re not picky. You’ll consume whatever’s on offer, from blockbuster movies to pop music hits. No plan, just whatever the mass-produced culture serves up.

Leisure Shopper Extraordinaire: You’re the target market, carefully crafted by the leisure industry to boost their bottom line. Mass-produced cultural goodies and leisure economy are your playground, and you’re more than happy to follow the crowd. Who needs individual plans or preferences when the market’s got it all figured out for you? Just grab your wallet and join the queue.

So, which leisure style suits you best? Just remember, it’s all about finding that perfect balance… and maybe a little extra fun along the way!

Just a brief overview:

 Work is highly related to being paid, toil, efforts, distress, rivalry, and routines in the scheduled daytime which are postulated as one of the essential drivers of sustainability and development for the society and the individual itself (Grint, 1992; Applebaum; 1997).

Conversely, leisure time is the time of the day with no work, is considered a human right and represents individual liberty, a step towards political and economic modernization, one of the self- satisfaction parts of a liberal lifestyle and thus, it is a return for all those efforts made in paid work as a present (Dumanazadier, 1974).