Time spent acquiring goods and services outside the home is no longer available for housework.In 1961, both parents and children often sat together for several meals per day. Over a 34-year period we have seen the virtual disappearance of the family meal, replaced by irregular “grazing” of pre-cooked or fast foods. Time devoted to eating has nearly halved during that period, partly reflecting a retreat from the civilities of the table, but also a “masking” of food consumption which increasingly takes place simultaneously with some other activity such as watching television.This undoubtedly constitutes a loss of private sociability But the loss may be set against another gain. We go out, to pubs and restaurants, spending on average more than twice as much of our day in such activities as we did in 1961, sometimes with those very household members with whom we no longer eat and drink at home.So paid jobs for women, some adjustment in gender roles, the reorganisation of retail and other services, and more out-of-house socialising have transformed the way women, in particular, spend their time. It is cheering to note that, contrary to popular myth, children may well be the beneficiaries.This is an edited version of an article appearing in the January issue of ‘Prospect’. The writer is director of the ESRC Research Centre on Microsocial Change at the University of Essex.. Forget Old Moore.

The time has come to introduce you to Old Creevey’s Almanac, the surest guide of what is going to happen, or at any rate what ought to happen in 1997, the Chinese Year of the Ox. January sees Dr Brian Mawhinney relaunch back-to-basics, under the new slogan “Careless Talk Costs Wives”. Another Tory minister promptly resigns to spend more time with his girlfriend. MPs return from their long Christmas break, fingering their diaries for the Easter holiday due in six weeks. Conservatives admit pounds 10m donation to party election funds from Serbian boss Slobodan Milosevic (who will have been given a life peerage in the New Year’s honours list) but insist: “It is not a bribe”.

Freak sunshine in Staffordshire hailed as “the hand of God”.
February. Tony Blair asks for a lift in Peter Mandelson’s chauffeur-driven limousine to open a new hostel for the homeless in Islington Mandy “too busy”. Labour moves parliamentary vote of no confidence in John Major, and government falls. Prolonged rain in Yorkshire leads to hosepipe ban.March brings general election on the 20th Major breaks ankle falling off soap-box Sympathy vote not enough to stem Labour landslide. Blair enters Downing Street and announces Royal Commission to examine “feasibility” of Scottish devolution Riots in Ren- frew. Chancellor Gordon Brown, “horrified” at state of nation’s finances, introduces emergency Budget with VAT on “unsympathetic” newspapers and a tax on passive smoking.April, the cruellest month, sees Lord Hanson appointed as chairman of new Low Pay Commission, with Lord Sterling, Richard Branson and Sir Desmond “Croesus” Pitcher of United Utilities. Introduction of national minimum wage “may be delayed for some time” TUC goes into deep mourning.

Employment minister Ian McCartney resigns, but nobody notices because he’s so short. Heavy snow in south-east England blamed on government austerity programme. Cold weather payments abolished.May brings a new initiative in Northern Ireland. Lord Roy “Crusher” Mason brought back from retirement to impose “military solution” on recalcitrant Fenians Ulster Secretary Mo Mowlam moved to Social Security Hattie Harman quits in protest Bells rung at Westminster Abbey. Foreign exchange controls reintroduced “as a precautionary measure” Tourists may take abroad only 50 euros, the new currency. Prince Philip retires to Greek island of Tossos, with cricket bat.June ushers in the traditional run on the pound.