Americans are working longer and harder because there are vastly expanded job opportunities especially in high technology, and hard work translates into increased income, or b. wealth going to those who work hard and achieve more is discouraging to many who simply give up and cease to produce, feeling that striving is futile and success is illusory. Much of this may also arise from the average American worker understanding little of what constitutes the economic base of their company or even their country. Therefore, much of job stress can be confusion on the part of the worker as to what constitutes economic responsibility and success. Stress is not an objective phenomenon. Stress is response to a demand for change.
Some individuals can change with ease.
They readily absorb new responsibilities and take on challenges. They see life as a series of opportunities to prove their ambition, creativity and investment. They do not seek shortcuts, relief from responsibility or compensation beyond that which others demand. They want no special consideration. The problem begins when we conceptualize stress as though it were objective, and that everyone would perceive increased work week and competition as stressful.