Bridging the Divide: Temporal Inequality as a Neglected Dimension in Sociological Research

Time is an essential but overlooked dimension of inequality in modern societies.While money can be earned and saved, time remains finite, shaped by labor markets,caregiving duties, and institutional frameworks. Despite its importance, mainstreamsociological research on inequality and resources have predominantly focused onmaterial and economic factors and overlooks temporal factors. This manuscriptcenters on the concept of temporal inequality—the unequal distribution of and controlover time—to demonstrate that focusing solely on material resources overlookscritical constraints on daily life and offers ground work for further research. Buildingon sociological theories of capital, intersectionality, and economic stratification, thisarticle argues that time poverty intersects with race, class, and gender inequalities,deepening existing social divides. By foregrounding time, this article aims to advancea more holistic understanding of social stratification.