Joachim H. Spangenberg (2002)

The changing contribution of unpaid work to the total standard of living in sustainable development scenarios

Int. J. Sustainable Development, Vol. 5, No. 4, pp. 461-475:

Abstract

In Europe since the 1950s, the average working hours declined steadily and the time available for unpaid work increased. Nonetheless, its contribution to the total standard of living has not been taken into account so far, although the majority of working hours in Germany and Europe is in unpaid work. The qualitative integration of unpaid work in the new framework concept of 'mixed work' is introduced as an alternative more appropriate for the emerging new patterns of working life than the traditional concept of life-long, full time 'normal work'.

Two quantitative sustainability scenario simulations have been evaluated concerning their impact on unpaid work. Depending on the kind of politics simulated (cost cutting, growth, integrated sustainability), the future contribution of unpaid work to the total standard of living can decline, stagnate, or increase. The implications of different policies on the time budgets are discussed..