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> But the average American watches four and a half hours of TV per day This is something that always perplexed me. I don't doubt it's true, but could somebody

> But the average American watches four and a half hours of TV per day This is something that always perplexed me. I don't doubt it's true, but could somebody show me a schedule where one puts so much television in the context of an adult, independent, life? I have barely 3 hours free every workday, and I need to be extremely well organized and lean, in addition to working (full time) from home.

balfirevic 6y ago
> I don't doubt it's true, but could somebody show me a schedule where one puts so much television in the context of an adult, independent, life? Without more information on the methodology, it might very well not be true in a sense that they just sit and watch TV. Those four and a half hours could be including the time people do stuff around the house while the TV is on. If anyone has more information about how this is commonly measured please share.
toyg 6y ago
My eldest kid goes to school on public transport, has to prepare her lunchbox, leaves her phone at home, goes to bed before 9pm, and I enforce screen-free time of at least 2-3 hours per day. Despite this, she still manages to clock 4h of screen time every day, according to iOS. If she can do that, then I think most adults are doing it too without even realizing.
goto11 6y ago
People have the TV running in the background while doing other stuff in the house.
rm445 6y ago
If you were a TV fan, watching workday evenings, then indulging more at the weekends could carry you up to that the average. People watch a lot of TV, it's the default entertainment. I recently (before lockdown) casually asked a colleague, someone I like and admire in their professional life, "Hey, what do you like to do when you're not at work?" After looking mildly anguished for a few moments, he eventually allowed that he enjoys watching the Formula 1 races. (i.e. a few hours at weekends, not every weekend) He was noticeably cool with me since - I'm worried the question, or rather the realisation that he couldn't answer it, offended him. I can't prove my colleague has the TV on for hours a day, but I'm pretty certain he does. If he was reading novels or doing crosswords or walking the dog, it would be a hobby. Putting the TV on until you're sleepy isn't.
Izkata 6y ago
Keep in mind it's an average. Any stay-at-home parents may well have the TV on 12+ hours a day - not necessarily just watching it, but even just listening to it while doing the laundry, vacuuming the house, etc. I know my mom did when I was in school.

balfirevic 6y ago

> I don't doubt it's true, but could somebody show me a schedule where one puts so much television in the context of an adult, independent, life? Without more information on the methodology, it might very well not be true in a sense that they just sit and watch TV. Those four and a half hours could be including the time people do stuff around the house while the TV is on. If anyone has more information about how this is commonly measured please share.

toyg 6y ago

My eldest kid goes to school on public transport, has to prepare her lunchbox, leaves her phone at home, goes to bed before 9pm, and I enforce screen-free time of at least 2-3 hours per day. Despite this, she still manages to clock 4h of screen time every day, according to iOS. If she can do that, then I think most adults are doing it too without even realizing.

goto11 6y ago

People have the TV running in the background while doing other stuff in the house.

rm445 6y ago

If you were a TV fan, watching workday evenings, then indulging more at the weekends could carry you up to that the average. People watch a lot of TV, it's the default entertainment. I recently (before lockdown) casually asked a colleague, someone I like and admire in their professional life, "Hey, what do you like to do when you're not at work?" After looking mildly anguished for a few moments, he eventually allowed that he enjoys watching the Formula 1 races. (i.e. a few hours at weekends, not every weekend) He was noticeably cool with me since - I'm worried the question, or rather the realisation that he couldn't answer it, offended him. I can't prove my colleague has the TV on for hours a day, but I'm pretty certain he does. If he was reading novels or doing crosswords or walking the dog, it would be a hobby. Putting the TV on until you're sleepy isn't.

Izkata 6y ago

Keep in mind it's an average. Any stay-at-home parents may well have the TV on 12+ hours a day - not necessarily just watching it, but even just listening to it while doing the laundry, vacuuming the house, etc. I know my mom did when I was in school.