New Study in the UAE: Play Is Not Wasted Time
A new study conducted in the United Arab Emirates reveals that the pressure on parents and adults to be constantly productive may hurt their well-being. The “Permission to Play Report,” prepared by Nord Anglia Education, reveals that modern families are increasingly feeling guilty about taking rest, play, and leisure time.
The study is based on the views of more than 500 parents and education experts in the UAE. According to the findings, 91 percent of parents believe that play and enjoyable activities are important for adults’ well-being. However, more than half of the participants say they feel guilty when they spend time on activities that do not produce a productive outcome. In addition, 53 percent of parents state that the culture of constant tracking and measurement makes people more anxious.
According to experts, sleep scores, step counts, productivity apps, self-improvement content, and achievement-oriented messages on social media are reshaping families’ perceptions of success and rest. This situation leads people to evaluate even leisure time in terms of productivity. Elizabeth Lamb, Regional Managing Director for the Middle East at Nord Anglia Education, stated that play is an essential part of a balanced and healthy society and noted that adults tend to forget the value of play over time. According to Lamb, play is a fundamental need for well-being, relationships, creativity, and resilience and should not be seen as wasted time.
Educational psychologist Dr. Ruba Tabari also pointed out the contradiction created by constant measurement and the pressure for self-improvement. According to Tabari, trying to improve well-being through constant measurement may weaken individuals’ ability to enjoy life. Experts emphasize that adults need to remember the value of play, rest, and unstructured time for human development.