I'm not sure if I should stick this in the Video Games sub-forum or not, but I figure since I'm not really discussing a video game, per se, it fits better here.
Basically, I'm tired of preconceived notions among friends and family (and perhaps the internet in general, but whatever) in regards to playing video games. It seems a large number of people are firmly in the belief that one cannot maintain employment and also play video games on the side. Certainly, it could be said that when one is employed, they'd have less time to game than when unemployed, but that's true of any leisure activity, whether it's watching TV, playing football, reading a book, or playing with and walking your dogs (the latter three of which, I'm sure, most non-gamers would immediately agree are "healthy" activities). So it's really a ridiculous thing to say.
It's pretty obvious that, if you want to also make time for time with loved ones (whether you're married or simply dating somebody), exercise to keep in shape, keep your house/apartment looking somewhat clean, keep food stocked, etc etc... all the "normal" stuff, you're not going to have as much time to game. But again, same is true of reading, watching TV, playing "normal" games, etc etc. Equally ridiculous of an argument.
So rather than do the same thing as the people holding said opinions... I'd rather have some statistics. Not just random made-up statistics, obviously, but stuff based on actual scientific processes or surveys. Something in the ballpark of an estimated number of employed people, if not around the world, at least in America, who play video games for several hours of their spare time.
I haven't succeeded in coming up with such information through Google. Might anybody else on these boards have any idea where to look? The bureau of labor statistics neglects to single out any one "leisure activity" in their numbers, so far as I've seen. And much as I'd love to just start a poll up on MMOC here about it, let's face it - such information would be incredibly biased (seriously, how many people post on MMOC, have a job, and DON'T play video games? I imagine not many), and wouldn't really be worth considering.
Personally, I've met dozens, if not hundreds (like I was actually counting) of people, when I was still playing WoW, who maintained a regular job (and many even had high-paying positions!) while successfully raiding (and not just being a bench-warmer either, I mean being a core member of the raid group, if not an officer). I've seen plenty of people posting for various other games, such as SWTOR and GW2 and Rift, who claim the same thing. It's obviously even easier for more "casual" games such as LoL (and also GW2, I'll dare to say) where you can just pick up and play, with no real need for commitment.
So I know, based on anecdotal evidence, that it's fairly common. But I'd like something more solid, and I'm wondering if it might even be out there.