Lecture to discuss Americans' ambivalence toward work and leisure

Many Americans, it would appear, seem conflicted about work and leisure. Charles Sylvester, a professor in the Physical Education, Health and Recreation Department at Western Washington University, is curious about why. He’ll discuss the topic of work and leisure – including a few ways Americans might harmonize the two – at a public lecture from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, in the Bellingham City Hall Chambers in downtown Bellingham.

There are many reasons for American’s ambivalence toward work and leisure, Sylvester says.

“Perhaps two of the major sources are the Protestant work ethic, which teaches that the source of all value is work and that idleness (leisure) is the devil’s workshop, and the aristocratic ideal that leisure is to be preferred to work because work is degrading and leisure allows freedom for reflection and culture,” he says.

A consequence of this ambivalence is that Americans become caught between a rock and a hard place, Sylvester adds.

“Work is supposed to provide meaning and worth in our society, but many jobs simply are not capable of delivering on that promise,” he says. “Yet, on the other hand, leisure is not broadly accepted as a legitimate source of meaning and purpose; it’s treated as idle time, time for consumption or time to recreate in order to return refreshed to work, albeit unrewarding work. Leisure generally is not recognized as a key source of self-concept and self-esteem, though for many people it serves those very purposes (think of people who work mainly to support their leisure pursuits).”

Is there a way out? Perhaps.

“Redeeming and harmonizing work and leisure in my eyes involves humanizing work so it’s fit for people – rather than fitting people for work – and acknowledging leisure as a legitimate source of meaning and worth,” Sylvester says. “There is policy, too, that should be implemented. ‘Fair trade’ should include not only livable wages but limits on the number of hours people must work so they also have time to live. Too often people choose, or are forced, to live to work rather than work to live. I also believe people would benefit if they understood work more broadly as a creative act that can occur both in paid and non-paid occupations.”

Sylvester’s lecture, which is free and open to the public, is part of the Dean’s Lecture Series from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at WWU. For more information about this lecture, contact Charles Sylvester, chair of the Physical Education, Health and Recreation Department, at (360) 650-3541 or charles.sylvester@wwu.edu.

The lecture will be recorded and shown on Bellingham TV Channel 10. Audience participation is encouraged.