Chen Shi | 2025 I.S. Symposium

Name: Chen Shi
Title: Time Allocation and Inequality: A Study of Shifting Social Leisure Time Disparities
Major: Statistical & Data Sciences
Minors: Economics; Psychology
Advisor: Qimin Huang

This study utilized the American Time Use Survey (ATUS) data from 2003 to 2023 to document trends in social leisure time allocation. In the two decades, the average weekly leisure time of U.S citizens increased by approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Previous studies have shown significant disparities in social leisure time based on factors such as gender, marital status, employment status, education level, and parental status. Comparing 2003 to 2023, these differences have largely persisted, with no significant changes observed in gender, marital status, employment status, or education level. However, a notable increase in the gap between parents and non-parents in terms of leisure time has been observed, with parents experiencing a substantial reduction in social leisure time. Regression models indicate that age and parental status have the strongest explanatory power in determining social leisure time. Time series predictions suggest that social leisure time will continue to increase in the future.

Posted in Symposium 2025 on May 1, 2025.