American and Work

By 1960, about 20% of mothers in the United States worked, although that figure has since grown and 70% of children in America live in households where both parents work (Miller n.p). Working in preindustrial America was not consistent because agriculture was a seasonal work that was hectic during harvesting and planting but more comfortable in winter. However, shifting demands due to varying accessibility of products, seasons, inadequate connectivity, and transportation all played a role in disrupting the consistency of work (Hill n.p). Nevertheless, the work ethic during the preindustrial time did not demand stop regularity which was introduced by the times of machines. Moreover, studies have shown that America is the overworked country among the developed nations in the globe.

Besides, 66.5 percent females and 85.8 percent males in the United States are believed to work above forty hours every week (Miller n.p). The Americans work 137 hours more than Japans, 499 than French and 260 more hours than British workers per year. Besides, the average productivity of every American worker has augmented with 400 percent from 1950 which means that it can only take eleven hours per week to attain similar standard on life as an employee in 1950 (Miller n.p).

However, the overworking in the current America can be attributed to various reasons including the fairly ruthless companies that cannot let people go. Americans want to remain in their jobs rather than being lower performers when compared to others (Miller n.p). Moreover, the end of the union has caused less paid time off as well as leaves benefits. The United States is the sole industrialized nation in the globe that has no lawful mandated yearly leave or laws requiring the payment for sick days thus making people work extra hours. There is the cultural value of money than anything else in the United States thus people work more hours hoping that money can purchase happiness (Miller n.p). The legislative branch has shied away from introducing rules that secures workers which have passed by various industrialized nations. Americans do not fight for their working rights making them remain subjects of their bosses and working overtime.

In opposition, American are not overworked when compare to employees in other nations. However, the myth of overworked Americans is founded on self-reporting. According to the Gallup Poll results, more than fifty percent of Americans are pleased with their job hours as well as their vacation period (Dorfman n.p). Moreover, only 43 percent indicates that they like promotion while 41 percent satisfied with the pay which represents the incentive to report that Americans are working very hard. Furthermore, there is the possibility that the current capability to get texts, cell phone calls, and emails in every hour to has established the self-impression that Americans are working longer and harder (Dorfman n.p). Additionally, only particular industries in the United States have slightly augmented the working hours per day, but others have reduced. Weekly hours in the production industries has increased by one hour every week from 2006. Nevertheless, working hours have not changed in the education, hospitality industry, and health services (Dorfman n.p). In the information services, retail and technology, weekly hours have decreased with half an hour every week.

In conclusion, Americans are not overworked when compared to other industrialized nations. The myth of overworked is based on modernization in America and self-reporting. However, different industries in the United States have increased their weekly working hours, other unchanged while some have decreased.

Work Cited

Dorfman, Jefrey. “Forbes Welcome.” Forbes Welcome, 6 Sept. 2016, www.forbes.com/sites/jeffreydorfman/2016/09/06/the-myth-of-the-overworked-american/#156e95cc591a.

Hill, Roger B. “History of Work Ethic–7.The Work Ethic in America.” The Work Ethic Site, 1996, workethic.coe.uga.edu/hweam.html.

Miller, G. E. Sign In, 17 Feb. 2017, elearn.midlandstech.edu/d2l/le/content/930599/viewContent/4828274/View.