Produced for public television, John de Graaf's documentary examines the brevity of the American vacation. Compared to the rest of the developed world, Americans don't receive as much time off, which amounts to several weeks for Europeans, who live longer and spend less on healthcare. A speaker in Sweden cites a law guaranteeing five weeks off, while a German interviewee tops that with six. The U.S. situation hasn't always been so dire, but vacation times have been shrinking for years. Historically, the idea of a governmental mandate regarding vacations has attracted supporters—including John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt—but never caught on, due to opposition from corporate interests. Doctors, including cardiologist Sarah Speck, testify to the benefits of time off to relieve stress. De Graaf also speaks with families vacationing in Yosemite National Park. As one camper puts it, “These are life experiences the kids won't ever forget,” but another camper worries that if his employer does not miss him when he's away for two weeks, he might not be missed at all. Keeping vacation time short, he says, represents “job security.” Park rangers also note that visitors don't stay as long as they once did. Travel guide Rick Steves adds, “It seems like we've lost track of what life is all about.” Steves now offers shorter trips, since fewer customers are signing on for 22-day excursions. While there are no startling revelations here, it's hard to argue with the notion that a healthier workforce benefits society as a whole—to say nothing of the individual worker. A strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)
The Great Vacation Squeeze
(2013) 27 min. DVD: $195. John de Graaf (dist. by Bullfrog Films). PPR. SDH captioned. ISBN: 1-94154-500-9. Volume 30, Issue 1
The Great Vacation Squeeze
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