Page 2 of 2 Poll: Do You Have Enough Free Time? Opinions Shift Depending on Responsibilities Continued 
Satisfaction with free time bottoms out for parents with children under the age of 12, and also for people 35-44 years old — the age group likeliest to have little kids and their attendant soccer games, music lessons and after-school activities. (Having kids, of course, can bring its own rewards, free time aside.)
Better Off
While some folks may pine for the good old days, many realize the era before microwave ovens wasn't filled with empty hours. As noted, just 32 percent say they have less free time than their parents did at their age.
Again, employment, family status and age color perceptions. About half of those who are 55 and older, who don't work or who live alone, say they have more free time than their parents had. But four in 10 full-time workers, and as many parents of children under 12, say they have less free time than their parents did.
Those who are satisfied with their free time are more than twice as likely as those who are dissatisfied to say they have more of it than their parents had. Similarly, eight in 10 who report more free time than their parents are satisfied with how much of it they have, but only half as many who feel they have less free time than their parents agree.
Methodology: This ABCNEWS 20/20 poll was conducted by telephone Jan. 7-11, 2004, among a random national sample of 1,142 adults. The results have a three-point error margin. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by TNS Intersearch of Horsham, Pa.
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