Well, America is notorious for it's work-centered lifestyle that leaves time for little else either out of choice by worker or necessity. Perhaps it would be accurate to assume the answer is both. Its the puritan work ethic of "work hard to get to heaven." the same attitude often concurs with a philistine perspective. Art is considered waste of time and lacking in profitability. Indeed, the puritans view any personal pursuits as unworthy of time and energy. People should simply line up the factories and stores to be obedient little indentured slaves that mull away their lives.
But I reject this lifestyle as ideal or even necessary on the basis that society only makes it look so. Minimum wage is still a joke (7.25 an hour? Even in a small midwestern town thats difficult to live on). And people fear to lose their insurance if they worked udner 40 hours a week. The unions created our 40 hour work week along with other worker rights, by this doesn;t mean that a good number workers average 60, 70, or 80 hours a week. Yeah, some of us have that thing called debt so they need all the hours. The I should say poor lifestyle choices and crappy pay make fewer hours impossible.
No, you won't make yourself rich by giving up cigarettes and designer clothes, but may we reconcile ourselves with the simple pleasures of the past? A rediscovery of talents in art and hobbies that give a society it's flavor and true individuality. I find myself writing this two hours before I go to work. Alone in the car something dies in me. A missed 12 hours to write, read, and imagine. It feels like the inner death of my soul and mind.