Between work and social life: Patterns of time use in rural Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

This review paper examines the interplay between time management and social practices among the Sindhi population in the rural areas of Hyderabad Division. Drawing on perspectives from sociology, anthropology, and behavioural sciences, the study explores how economic and socio-cultural frameworks shape recreational behaviour, collective leisure, and the allocation of time. Particular emphasis is placed on the informal socializing tendencies of rural Sindhis, especially casual interactions and community gatherings, which serve as both social and informal productive "anchors" within the community's social and economic networks. These informal social activities and routine leisure practices play a crucial role in rural social interactions but remain underdeveloped in the broader context of socio-economic change and rural development. The paper suggests that mechanisms fostering informal rural social contacts can influence time use in ways that enhance social cohesion, economic productivity, balanced community relations, and overall socio-economic integration in rural Sindh.