America faces a 'fun shortage'

Recreation venues and activities in the United States are getting more expensive — and that's harming the American psyche, writes Ben Steverman in Bloomberg News.

"America appears to be suffering from a fun shortage. For the industries supplying recreational amenities, this deficit is a business opportunity. But for everyone not positioned to profit from the trend, it’s a source of stress and frustration that’s been building for a while."

Steverman defines "fun" as enjoyable social activities such as live shows with friends, a family vacation or small talk with a stranger in a public place. "By those measures, it’s clear that Americans are having less fun than they used to. Since its 2003 inception, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ American Time Use Survey shows double-digit percentage drops in the hours spent each year on arts and entertainment activities, attending sports or recreational events, and attending or hosting social events."

Even so, younger people seem more eager than ever to travel and engage with friends, going on vacations and out to the movies instead of staying home. But fun is becoming both harder to afford and harder to access, with a fifth of U.S. movie theaters and a third of bowling alleys closing since 2001. "Rising inequality is making the problem worse, as the superwealthy bid up the costs of fun, whether luxury hotels or the best seats at sporting events."

There is a bright side: participation in organized outdoor activities and sports is soaring, and "old-school" hobbies like crafting and birdwatching are making a comeback.