Although countries with long average working hours are economically successful, this often has some negative social consequences. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

For decades, countries have adopted capitalism as a main concept in running businesses and various industries in order to reach economic strength. Although many countries can be considered economically powerful these days, citizens are suffering, daily from effort draining jobs with minimum free time to relax and maintain healthy social relationships. To begin, economics has always been related to politics. To illustrate, economically powerful countries are more independent and can take various political decisions without any interference from the outside world. In addition, countries with cash surplus and strong economic stand can never be subject to outside manipulations forced by others. However, Capitalism- advocate countries impose tremendous pressure on working labor to raise productivity while aspiring for economic development. Although economic strength can affect countries decisions, employees and blue collars suffer from long working hours, leaving them with no leisure time, nearly at all. This kind of pressure affects workers’ mental health. Furthermore, studies have shown that employees working more than 8 hours/day are more vulnerable to psychological disturbances such as: anxiety, stress, depression and social retardations. In addition, unfair working hours have direct impact on families, where both parents are forced to work in order to provide minimum welfare for their children. Lack of parental guidance can lead to vicious results. Kids, especially, teenagers can be easily seduced to commit reclus actions to that might lead to juvenile crimes. In conclusion, countries are required to set clear policies regulating the average working hours required from an employee in the public and private sector. In addition, fair wages are essential to ensure that workers are not obliged to work for extra hours to reach minimum life standard. Economic power of a country shouldn’t be measured by productivity rates only; instead, individuals welfare and standard of living must be the main criterion.