The Idea of an Essay, Volume 3

16 The Idea of an Essay: Volume 3 Pathos surfaces in the latter half of the article, where Schor argues that lack of leisure time results in stress-induced diseases, inadequate sleep, marriage issues and child neglect. To highlight the strain imposed by lack of time, she quotes and references average Americans who her readers would likely relate with. The anecdotes she relays evoke sympathy in readers and convince them that Americans are indeed overworked. Schor’s approach to her topic seems logical. Her article is full of statistical backing and she frequently quotes experts in the field. The plenitude of cause-and-effect relationships also gives an appearance of a logical progression. Several fallacies, however, undermine the credibility of her logic. By tossing out names such as “Berkley sociologist Arlie Hochschild” and “economist Victor Fuchs,” she effectively vies for readers’ respect; in reality, though, she rarely cites her sources. For example, she states that “Americans…have only sixteen and a half hours of leisure time a week.” According to what survey? Again, “Americans…spend a higher fraction of the money they earn.” Was this a reliable source? From the quote, readers can’t discern whether the “higher fraction” is even a significant amount. Occasionally, Schor doesn’t even back up her claim with a statistic. One glaring example occurs when she rebuts a counter-argument: “Contrary to the views of some researchers, the rise of work is not confined to a few, selective groups, but has affected the great majority of working class Americans.” She denies her opponents’ assertion but doesn’t refute it. Does she expect readers to simply take her word for it? In this case, her lack of evidence severely weakens her rebuttal. Likewise, logical fallacies abound in her cause-and-effect relationships. The assertion that the “productivity dividend” provides only two options—“more free time or more money”— presents a false dilemma. While these are two viable options, they are not exclusive. Also, she automatically assumes that leisure time decreased due to overwork. Equating “time poverty” with overwork, she ignores other time drainers unique to the late 20th century, such as social media and video games. In essence, she confuses cause and effect by assuming that correlation means causation. Later, Schor discusses how spouses in double-income homes struggle tomaintain a balance between work and family life. The inherent assumption is that both parents are working to fulfill the so-called “American