> The overwhelming majority of people who work around 40 hours a week have plenty of free time.

Overwhelming majority? Plenty of people don't make enough from their 40h/w job to pay all their expenses and have to get another job or have to share responsibilities with a working spouse. Having kids or aging parents is also a common demand on ones time.

The average weekly hours of US employees is ~34 https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/AWHAETP

"Only" 5.2% of US job holders hold more than one job https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat36.htm

If you want to argue that this doesn't add up with "The overwhelming majority of people who work around 40 hours a week have plenty of free time." then please provide sourced numbers rather than baseless internet doomerism.

Oh and I'll add that the average commute time in the US is among the shortest in the OECD, since the long commute boogeyman always end up popping up in these discussions.

you're describing people who work MORE than 40 hours a week

Good point. Still, plenty of households can't get by on one 40h/w job. And regardless, childcare and elder parent responsibilities are things that I'd consider taking away from 'free' time, not a part of it.

definitely. you're right that "free time" is a luxury

Yeah. I worked 30 hours/week when I went to undergrad full time for CS. Later I went back to grad school while also working full time. There is a lot of free time in many people's day. I'm also not saying it all has to be productive, I know mine certainly isn't, but it should be deliberate. I love sitting down to watch a movie or play a game, and I hate when I get sucked into some social media for 30 mins or an hour without realizing it.

Do you have a kids and a spouse? What’s your age range? I found that the time I had in my 20s is filled by life obligations.

Idk if it's about my demographic, but everyone in development positions who I know has to work till 7pm. There are people at less serious positions who leave at 5.