How society, genes and light all interact to generate individual sleep patterns

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/blog/2012/apr/27/survey-sleeping-habits-germans-britons

Society plays an enormous role in shaping our attitudes towards sleep and this affects how much sleep we get. Sleep, in turn, has a major impact upon society, influencing childhood learning and development, affecting workplace safety and efficiency, and even risk-taking behaviour.

Sleepiness and sleep disorders cost the economy billionseach year in days off work, lost time, inefficiency and accidents, yet the machismo associated with short sleep and long work hours is pervasive. Society glorifies "driven" individuals who succeed on apparently little sleep, whereas those who prioritise sleep are viewed as weak and not having the "right stuff". Some professions even demand excessive sleep deprivation as part of the job or a "rite of passage".

In addition to work, many other factors affect our sleep, including children, pets, noise pollution, temperature, bed type, pain, gender, bed partner, your income, hobbies, alcohol, drugs and medications, exercise, television, radio, computers, telephones - the list goes on and on.