Carpe diem? The deferred happiness syndrome

The culture of long hours has been extensively debated in Australia in recent years with increasing focus on the implications for the health of the family. A survey in 2002 revealed a widespread uneasiness among Australians about how they live their lives and what life should be about. In this paper Clive Hamilton examines the tendency to endure long hours in unsatisfying jobs - the 'deferred happiness syndrome' - in expectation of future benefits.