Read the following statement about how many hours people work per week in the U.S. and the Netherlands. Then, identify which of the following cultural traits is most likely responsible for the difference in workweek length between the U.S. and the Netherlands in 2020.

Question

On average, people in the Netherlands worked for 29.4 hours per week. On average, people in the U.S. worked for 34.6 hours per week.(1 point)
Responses

The U.S. culture is more strongly influenced by the Christian religion than the Netherlands’ culture is.
The U.S. culture is more strongly influenced by the Christian religion than the Netherlands’ culture is.

The U.S. culture prioritizes capitalism, while the Netherlands’ culture prioritizes health and welfare.
The U.S. culture prioritizes capitalism, while the Netherlands’ culture prioritizes health and welfare.

The Netherlands’ culture is influenced by its northern location in the Northern Hemisphere, while the U.S. is closer to the equator.
The Netherlands’ culture is influenced by its northern location in the Northern Hemisphere, while the U.S. is closer to the equator.

The U.S. culture prioritizes flexible scheduling.
The U.S. culture prioritizes flexible scheduling.

Answer 1

The most likely cultural trait responsible for the difference in workweek length between the U.S. and the Netherlands in 2020 is:

The U.S. culture prioritizes capitalism, while the Netherlands’ culture prioritizes health and welfare.

This explanation aligns with the notable difference in average work hours, as the U.S. often emphasizes longer work hours and productivity in a capitalist framework, whereas the Netherlands tends to prioritize work-life balance, health, and welfare considerations, contributing to a shorter workweek.