ABSTRACT

A reduction in the weekly hours of work implies a corresponding increase in the hours of leisure, and the problem of occupying these hours wisely becomes one of increasing importance. The choice of occupations for leisure hours necessarily depends on the facilities offered. It is pointed out by Prof. Burt that the chief motive for amusement in leisure hours is the craving for excitement, and this is most easily attained by stirring up the primitive instincts. It might be thought that the increased leisure of the working classes as compared with pre-war times would result in more time being spent at public-houses, and an increase of intemperance. The great majority of working-class women are called upon to expend a good deal of their leisure time on useful work at home. The widespread adoption of the two-shift system would have a considerable influence, not only on the leisure time available, but upon the manner in which it is utilised.