Growing up in a blue-collar environment taught individuals how to take care of themselves, such as car maintenance, house work, DIY renovations, and budgeting. This work environment affects not only the individual worker but also their family dynamics, with the strain of shift work, overtime, and job insecurity impacting family relationships and parental involvement. Labor unions fight for better compensation, benefits, and protections for many blue-collar households.
Blue-collar workers stay in their jobs to sustain family needs and attain job satisfaction. Social support at work, emotional support from family, friends, and community members, and coping strategies improve subjective well-being. The study contributes to the knowledge on work-family supportiveness by constructively replicating the finding that organizational support is crucial.
Blue-collar workers engage in manual labor and require specific vocational skills and hands-on experience. They commonly wear uniforms and work in settings that demand a certain level of support. Flexible scheduling allows blue-collar workers to balance their professional and personal lives more effectively, meeting modern demands for work-life balance. The normal workweek for a blue-collar worker is 40 hours long, and they are entitled by federal law to receive time-and-a-half pay.
Blue-collar jobs often require workers to be willing to work in the bush or do shift work. Many parents, especially in third world countries, want their children to attend college to avoid physical labor jobs. Supervisors and professors who are supportive and understanding help adults cope with managing their multiple life roles.
A systematic review of 67 empirical studies examines the factors determining subjective well-being among blue-collar immigrant employees. Research has shown that children of blue-collar workers have higher chances of having mental health problems like depression and anxiety. Blue-collar jobs involve manual labor, often in manufacturing or construction, and hourly or piecework pay. White-collar jobs, on the other hand, are more flexible and offer more opportunities for career growth and professional development.
| Article | Description | Site |
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| In the past blue collar Americans could buy a house and … | In the past blue collar Americans could buy a house and support a family on one wage— what cause it to change ? Approved Answers. I heard … | reddit.com |
| In your area, would 1 blue collar job support a family … | There are many blue-collar jobs around here that can support a family of four, but often the workers have to be willing to work in the bush, or do shift work. | forums.welltrainedmind.com |
| Robbing my kids of being raised by blue collar parents | My kids have ridiculous privilege & advantage! Giving them an inheritance ain’t gonna help them be grounded that is for sure. | wilreynolds.medium.com |
📹 Jordan Peterson – The Blue Collar Lifestyle
The blue-collar lifestyle isn’t necessarily subservient, Peterson asserts. Source: …
What Are The Advantages Of Blue-Collar Jobs?
Many manual laborers experience lower levels of stress and anxiety compared to those in office jobs, reducing the chances of mental burnout associated with white-collar positions. Blue-collar workers, engaged in trades like plumbing, construction, and landscaping, report higher job satisfaction due to lower barriers to entry and the opportunity to earn while apprenticing. Although physically demanding, blue-collar work allows workers to unwind post-shift, as opposed to the sedentary nature of office jobs.
These roles are increasingly critical in a competitive global market, offering decent wages and excellent benefits like health insurance and retirement plans. Contrary to stereotypes suggesting lower pay, many blue-collar careers can be lucrative, especially for those with specialized skills. Job security is another notable advantage, given the continuous demand for skilled labor. Furthermore, blue-collar jobs typically require less time and money to train for compared with obtaining a four-year degree.
Overall, the perspective that blue-collar work is undesirable must be changed, as these positions are essential to the nation's infrastructure and economy, providing job satisfaction and stability for workers.
What Is A Key Advantage Of Blue-Collar Work?
Blue-collar work offers a practical route to financial stability and career advancement for those who may not have pursued traditional four-year degrees. Unionized positions often provide better wages and job security. Many are drawn to blue-collar jobs for the job satisfaction of hands-on work and tangible results. The pandemic has shifted consumer demands towards home services, boosting this sector. Advantages of blue-collar careers include flexibility in hours, predictable schedules, and improved work-life balance compared to high-pressure corporate settings.
While physically demanding, these jobs can also lead to lower stress and higher job satisfaction. Blue-collar workers, identifiable by their practical work attire, perform manual labor requiring specific skills and experience, primarily in sectors like manufacturing, construction, and HVAC. The distinction from white-collar work lies in the work environment, education requirements, and compensation. Despite misconceptions, these roles often offer competitive pay and comprehensive benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.
The increasing demand for skilled labor in many blue-collar professions ensures job stability. Additionally, young tradespeople are leveraging tech-savvy skills to gain a competitive edge. Overall, blue-collar jobs present numerous overlooked advantages, enhancing life quality and career satisfaction.
Who Lives Longer White Collar Or Blue-Collar Workers?
The study reveals significant findings regarding life expectancy across different occupational categories, indicating that executives and managers enjoy the highest mean total life expectancy of 73. 2 years (95% CI: 70. 3, 76. 1), followed by clerical (white collar) workers at 72. 0 years (70. 0, 74. 1), and unskilled blue-collar workers at a much lower 63. 65 years (61. 1, 66. 2). Women generally live longer than men, and the life expectancy of white-collar workers exceeds that of blue-collar workers, supporting established trends.
Furthermore, blue-collar workers are more likely to continue working beyond age 65 and to experience health issues such as arthritis. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted disparities between these groups, as many white-collar jobs transitioned effectively to remote work, while essential blue-collar workers remained on-site. Job security appears to be a challenge for white-collar professionals in the current job market, contrary to the perception that white-collar roles are more stable.
Overall, the research underscores the stark contrast between blue and white-collar jobs, not only in terms of life expectancy but also in working conditions, health outcomes, and job satisfaction. Those who retire early may face increased mortality risks, particularly among blue-collar men. The analysis confirms the implications of income disparities on life expectancy and brings attention to the ongoing need to address the health and employment challenges faced by blue-collar workers.
What Is The Highest Paying Blue-Collar Job?
The five highest paying blue-collar jobs are Elevator and escalator installers and repairers, Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers, Electrical power-line installers and repairers, Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians, and Railroad workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates as of May 2022, ship and boat captains and operators earn approximately $99, 540 annually.
As of 2024, job seekers enjoy greater employment options and competitive salaries. Many blue-collar professions, particularly in construction and extraction, present median salaries exceeding six figures. Recommended stable careers include plumbing, electrical work, and carpentry. Notably, skilled positions such as electrical installers and repairers often yield high returns, with electricians earning about $30 per hour. The top paying blue-collar roles frequently require advanced technical skills, particularly in electrical and mechanical fields.
In total, there are various high-demand positions providing substantial earnings, emphasizing the potential for lucrative careers in blue-collar sectors. Jobs such as Elevator Technicians and Power Plant Operators can offer salaries ranging from $85, 420 to $102, 420, underscoring the financial viability of skilled trades.
What Are Some Challenges Of Blue-Collar Work?
Blue-collar work is fraught with challenges that impact both workers and their families, notably affecting relationships and parental involvement due to factors like shift work, overtime, and job insecurity. Studies show that despite being vital to the economy, blue-collar workers struggle for fair wages and respect, with physical labor stress coupled with socioeconomic disparities adding to their burdens. Technological advancements and automation have further complicated job security, leading to displacement.
The blue-collar sector faces difficulties in diversity and inclusion, often hindered by stereotypes that obstruct opportunities for women and other marginalized groups. Recruitment challenges persist, exacerbated by a labor shortage and fluctuating seasonal demands. Workers face high turnover rates, limited career advancement prospects, and health concerns. Moreover, training barriers, such as inadequate access to technology and learning resources, persist.
Despite these obstacles, the resilience and determination of blue-collar workers drive progress and innovation in the U. S. economy, highlighting the need for recognition and support to navigate these pressing challenges effectively.
What Is A Blue-Collar Lifestyle?
Blue-collar workers engage in manual labor, primarily in settings such as construction sites and factories. The term originates from the durable blue fabrics traditionally worn by these laborers. In contrast, white-collar workers, often found in office environments, usually wear white, collared shirts. Blue-collar jobs, which emerged as a classification in the 1940s, encompass skilled trades and positions requiring physical effort and vocational skills, including roles in agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation. Typically, blue-collar workers are considered the backbone of various industries, providing essential services that drive economic progress and innovation.
These roles are characterized by physical, hands-on efforts and generally offer hourly wages. While they may be viewed as lower-paying jobs, blue-collar positions often bring a high level of job satisfaction, as workers witness the tangible results of their labor. The blue-collar workforce is crucial in maintaining infrastructure and promoting economic development, filling roles in mechanics, plumbing, and various skilled trades.
In examining the differences between blue and white-collar jobs, one can explore career transitions between these categories. Even without a college degree, pursuing a blue-collar lifestyle can offer rewarding opportunities and professional fulfillment, highlighting the importance of vocational skills in today's job market.
How Does Blue-Collar Work Affect Family Relationships?
Blue-collar work significantly influences family relationships and dynamics, impacting both workers and their families. The strains of shift work, overtime, and job insecurity often compromise parental involvement and overall family unity, a phenomenon explored in research featured in the Journal of Marriage and Family. Growing up in a Southern working-class family, education was limited as few relatives pursued college degrees, reflecting a common narrative within blue-collar communities.
My father's diverse trades—construction, welding, plumbing, and more—highlighted the labor-intensive environment I was raised in. Work-family conflict emerges as working parents experience incompatible pressures from their job and home life. Research indicates that maintaining a work-life balance is essential for blue-collar workers, fostering both well-being and job satisfaction. Contrary to white-collar professionals who may strive for organizational control, blue-collar workers face unique challenges in managing work while nurturing family relationships.
Studies illustrate that family support correlates with reduced work-family conflict, emphasizing the need for understanding these dynamics. Interviews and focus groups reveal the complex metaphors used to describe the relationship between work and family, illustrating that these experiences can be both depleting and enriching. Ultimately, addressing work-life balance fosters a healthier integration of professional and personal commitments.
Who Can Pursue Blue-Collar Work?
Blue-collar work presents fulfilling career opportunities across various demographics, defying stereotypes regarding gender, education, and socioeconomic status. Fields such as plumbing, construction, electrical work, landscaping, and maintenance feature low barriers to entry, with apprentices often earning while learning. These occupations typically involve manual labor in sectors like manufacturing and agriculture, providing avenues for individuals without college degrees, as most roles require apprenticeships or vocational training, which are usually more affordable. The demand for blue-collar jobs is rising, fueled by recent strikes advocating for higher wages, reflecting their growing financial appeal.
Many workers, particularly Gen Z, are shifting from white-collar to blue-collar jobs seeking better opportunities and compensation. However, there exists a stigma surrounding skilled trades that needs addressing. Jobs in these sectors tend to offer job security, especially in light of recent economic disruptions. As young people increasingly engage in entrepreneurship within trades, they leverage their tech-savvy nature to gain a competitive edge.
The article explores various blue-collar career paths, their qualifications, and average salaries, intending to inform potential candidates about lucrative options available in the manual labor sphere, ultimately encouraging a reevaluation of blue-collar work's value and opportunities.
Is White Collar Family Friendly?
Parents can feel confident in the character-driven crime drama, "White Collar," which is lighter on language, sex, and violence than many may anticipate. It's a suitable choice for families and teens, as swearing is rare, with only occasional mild terms like "hell" or "damn." The sexual content is relatively tame, particularly in Season 1, which contains no nudity and minimal sexual references. However, subsequent seasons may introduce more mature themes.
The show is praised for its entertaining odd-couple dynamic, engaging narratives, and character growth, making it enjoyable to watch as a family. Users on Common Sense Media have noted the positive messages and mentor relationships depicted in the series. With an 8. 1/10 average from Rotten Tomatoes, "White Collar" has garnered a strong critical consensus for its clever plotting and character interactions. Many viewers appreciate that the series maintains excitement without relying on gratuitous violence, allowing it to resonate with both teens and adults.
Overall, the content rating for "White Collar" reflects mild sex, violence, and profanity, suggesting that parental guidance is advisable, especially for younger viewers. It stands out among competitors, making it a delightful option for families seeking clean, feel-good entertainment that accommodates a mix of ages.
📹 The Surprising Reason Women Overlook Blue Collar Men
Navigating Relationships: Blue Collar Men and the Dynamics of Attraction Join me in this candid and insightful video as we …
I’m a carpenter. I think the trades have a tradition wrapped up around it. It’s got honor. I also think office work…is the hardest job ever…me personally. To sit down, not move, and stare at screens and figure out programs or take information and change it into other information….to me….is my personal hell. Sit all day, be inside, partake in sanitized but necessary office talk. Plus I hate suits. In many ways office work is stressful mentally and if you are energetic…but have to sit. It makes your body feel horrible.
Im an hvac tech and I feel for the people who are angry about their blue collar life and feel less important than their white collar brethren. I will say though that this choice ive made has made me unbelievably self reflective and help me work out issues of faith and worth value and identity my life isn’t perfect but I thank God that my work has provided me with the resources to live well and the opportunity to talk to and influence (in small ways) the people I come into contact with throughout the day.
I just started work as a tower climber some weeks ago. My hands hurt and so do my feet. I finally feel I’ve found a job that understands me. Thinking is required if you’re going to be safe to yourself and those around you and do a good job, but twisting wrenches and climbing a 250 ft ladder is so straightforward. I love it when things are simple. All it takes to be valued is to be at work on time and be a hard/smart worker. And I still have enough time for BJJ, working out, and any other hobbies I enjoy. I may be no Jordan Peterson, but in my free time I can improve myself for the sake of being a better me.
I went through school in the gifted programs but had no motivation to perform well in an academic setting. Welding is what I settled on and I have no regrets. The key is being a high level tradesmen, you will hate a career as a one trick pony no matter what field you choose. My math, material science, and metallurgy knowledge is becoming vast. My problem solving skills I would put up against almost anyone. If you are truly hungry for success and yearn to be self employed trades are the best option.
Listen: human beings weren’t created to sit around and push paper, the human body becomes its finest when exposed to physical exertion. Thats why gyms exist, so those that don’t have physical jobs still get that exertion. Why not have a job that brings out the best within yourself physically? Also: who says blue collar boys are so sub-servient? Most white-collar people are a slave to their company. So you have to pick a struggle.
Blue collar is ‘subservient”??? LOL So many white collar jobs are super-subservient – a slave to the company. Most tradesmen can quit one job and have another by tomorrow! Or better still, start their own business. I’m a construction estimator and I really envy electricians/millwrights/mechanics/etc. Working with your hands is the most satisfying thing for income.
Been doing blue collar work for most of my life. Turning 37 soon, and honestly it hasnt been worth it. Working long hours day in & out have prevented me from holding on to any long term relationship and being able to start a family. Now being in my late 30s, I’ve had to face facts that it’ll never happen unless I want to have children in my 40s or become a step parent to someone else’s child. I welcome an early death if it’s in my future. I’m only doing these types of jobs now because it’s all I’m qualified for, and have to survive somehow without being on the streets. But if there’s a God or Goddess out there, please release me from this hell.
I somewhat forcefully recently moved from IT (two years no luck finding a job there) to welding. I earn now 3/4 of what I was earning back then (add inflation and it will be around half), instead of working 9-5, I work three shifts (5.30-13.30, 13.30-21.30, 21.30-5.30). Back then I had time and energy to do extra projects and excercise after work, now I mainly rest, as I’m constantly tired, my hands and feet are swollen, my back often hurts.. Not that I don’t have time for additional projects, but compared, I barely have any. Wouldn’t say that trades are so great.. At least in comparison to IT. Of course, there are some good things about the job, but in general I find it way more taxing on my health, energy and time and for substantially less than I was getting previously.
That’s why I love you Mr. Peterson. I’m a 48 year old semi retired son of a plumber, plumber handyman. Non educated no high-school, self-taught one man show that’s bored and won’t build during these Brandon prices, looking for a side gig. It’s 20ﾟ outside Fahrenheit, 87 inside! windows are open. I ate a venison burger, I got on opening day. With my own fresh eggs, raised in the back. Life is good! Oh i speak two languages, not very good at either. Lol
I know a 61-year-old man who lies about his childhood. He tells everyone that his father was a corporate attorney. Born an only child reared by a nanny in a 12,000 square foot mansion. The reality is that he has 3 siblings. His dad was a union plumber and grew up in a very modest home in a blue collar 1970s neighborhood.
Some of the most banal people I’ve ever met were of higher earning white collar kind. It seems weird that some people get paid so much more for something so superfluous. I see more room for philosophical discourse and critical thinking in the trades than I have with my more limited exposure to urban professionals. Maybe there’s a more conservative thread running through the former, but on the other hand there’s nothing more conservative than corporatism. IT people I know tend to hold progressive values that aren’t reflected in their occupation or lifestyle and are handsomely compensated to promote a technocratic utopian worldview. Humanities people are an exception, the highest intelligence to competency to pay ratios, though I’ve experience with judgmental therapists and close-minded doctors.
I made more money as an aerospace machinist than many of my friends who went to college and started white collar careers. I was already a journeyman tool & die maker and running a shift when they graduated and started an entry level career. I went to my buddy’s graduation ceremony on my brand new Harley Electra Glide. At that time I was buying a house, had a a brand new (paid cash) Toyota Supra, was restoring a 1964 Ford Bronco and taking classes at a community college at night. I have since gone on to earn 2 masters degrees (thank you GI Bill, I enlisted later in life) and am now considered a “professional” (whatever that means) and make a little bit more money, but believe I was more content working with my hands and brain.
My father Herb grew up on a farm in the great depression, and he hated and was jealous of college people because, as he saw it, they had the clean soft hands and the easy life and they made a lot more money than he did. So he demanded, no college for me, I was going to work for a living like he had to do. I became a factory electrician/mechanic what paid about $20 an hour in the 1990’s and I did all right in life, maybe better in some ways than college
Im pivoting out of trades when your comparing your hourly rate to fast food somethings wrong, 3 years ago I made $13 an hour as machinist after a year and fast food was making 15. Unskilled manufacturing workers make more starting out then welding jobs and they cap out the same. Im going into programming Im done with trades. My area just blows, if they were in demand I would stay.
I’m a Microsoft/CompTIA certified IT tech, and a former auto mechanic (no ASE, I went straight to owning my shop), and I still don’t understand basic plumbing diagnostics. Sure, it’s likely a lack of effort, but that is significant effort. I’m a terrible carpenter too, and terrified of high voltage wiring! I also studied law and have been a successful self litigant. Intelligence means nothing, determination and focus are what matters most.
There’s lots of tradesmen who have high IQs and college degrees but for whatever reason prefer blue collar work. I crewed on one freighter where half of the deck gang were college graduates. And one of the engine gang QMEDs was an ex navy helicopter pilot with the rank of lieutenant. Then we had a chief cook who was an ex army officer and also an art teacher.
I been doing construction work on and off for 28 years now I started doing construction work since I was 14 years old and I am 42 years old now and I still doing construction work for living and I enjoy doing construction work for living because construction work is definitely outher stuff for construction work and is not like office work or kitchen work for living that way I life a blue collar lifestyle also
I was a construction Foreman all my life. White collars have no clue how smart we are. All people, in all jobs of the world, spend there life inside structures we built. We are not theoretical thinkers, we are fact based thinkers. Huge difference! I like Jorden but all he does is talk on theory of the mind.
Grew up. Upper middle class. Decided to become a Diesel mechanic. My wife is a healthcare manager. We do pretty good. We live in the burbs and drive nice cars and own 2 rental homes. I know I am not the norm for Blue collar workers. Most Blue collar live in the poorer side of town. They look sloppy and don’t care what they own. These guys tend to have lots of toys when they make good money later in life. Most people think I am White collar.
Yeah! I clawed my way to a generational-first Computer Science degree. As a late-bloomer, in 13 years I was an “old-timer” in the high-tech field. Lacking generational management examples — or interest — I grayed-out of the computer science field. I really aspire to innovation now…where I should have been all-along. But yeah, the ‘lil “Red Badge of Courage” helps.
as an tradesman my self, you can pick the people who think the blue-collar lifestyle is subservient, and good trades people avoid working for them and or charge a lot when working for people like that, and hear in OZ trades people earn more than many Oj’s(office urm employees ha ha) and you know what most of us people who do real work are fitter faster and stronger than people who sit down all day long in air con,if there is an car crash we are able to assist the injurerd people than some one who isnt confronted by injuries regula(as yes we do get hurt more but we have to be physically tougher )
Joined trades right after hs and at age 19 I was able to move across the country and work in 5 different states and never paid a dime for housing so my only bills was food and clothes everyone else I graduated with in hs that went to college is deep in debt for a degree that isn’t useful or pays the same that my job pays. Sure by age 45 my body might shut down and even now my body hurts but least I’m cooler climbing power line poles than someone that works in an office space
I don’t know why people associate blue collar with stupidity. I am a surveyor which is a blue collar job but I work use calculus all day to measure physical distance across kilometres and miles we make volumetric calculations based on measurements across hills. We preform minor archeology by establishing boarder lines created hundreds of years ago by calculating the distance from a known point then digging and scraping to find the original monument which has long since rotted away. This idea that trades people are unintelligent has been brainwashed into you by being told over and over again that because you are where you are you are better than someone else. The trades are easy to become a novice but difficult to become adept. That is why we don’t consider you a skilled tradesman until at least 5 years in the field and even then there are some people who are better than others.
I previously worked blue collar and it’s vastly overrated. There is not enough money in the world to get me to return to skilled trade jobs. The truth is that they are not anymore necessary than some white collar work. In the end, every individual needs to find what is helpful for them, and I don’t mean having a fat paycheck.
The question was insulting. I’m old enough to remember when people started “At the bottom and worked their way up”. 40 years of 4 year degrees in Art History,. Womens Studies and Music Apreciation as fostered a stratified cultural zeitgeist. Sorry, kids. But a 4 year Liberal Arts degree with a minor in underwater basketweaving doesn’t impress anyone who actually DOES.
From useful skills from working as a kid, I learnt every man has a use at one point. And with friendlyness and learning field well finding myself walking back and fourth up and down the mountain cause one can’t mind the mountain from the mountain as same for someone can’t mind the field on field. In other words since I’m youthful I’m perceived as harmless a useful idiot of some sorts. Soon it will change and my tactics will always change but adapting is my key suite where I’m from there’s tribal beef as old time it self that dwarfs hatfeild and mckoys pig issue. But I was able to wonder freely between all lands and realms. Well being from a rival tribe. And reservation. But Im always looking for friends or uses in folks. If I inspire one or two people along the way then fine by me. But always never be afraid to be an apprentice. For one could always become a master afterwards.
the weird stigma people have towards the trades is weird and reeks of elitism. like just listen to the way that question was worded. how are skilled trades workers any more subservient or less brilliant than your average mid-level white collar worker? if anything, the mid-level white collar worker is in a worse position with less leverage and less job security. people are annoying
I am a college grad who studied Architecture because I didn’t want to be a “subservient ditch digger.” I now work as a city bus driver, and have never been happier. My annual income is well over $100k, love my job, own a house, and live virtually debt free. Being academically intelligent doesn’t make you life-savvy, nor does it make you a better person. All an advanced university degree does for people in most cases, as I have witnessed, is turn them into pompous, debt-saddled, unhappy corporate slaves whose only happiness is looking down on people they consider inferior – people like common bus drivers, such as myself, who earn a high income, invest, save, travel often (because I’m afforded 6 weeks of vacation per year), prioritize interpersonal relationships, and are otherwise contented. I wear a uniform everyday which signifies to some people that I am an uneducated dirt bag plebeian to be pitied because I don’t sit behind a desk all day getting screamed at by clients and bosses because I can’t keep up with an unrealistic work load while making UNDER $70k, have terrible healthcare, almost no retirement to speak of, and maybe 1 week off a year if I’m lucky… Who is looking down on whom ? 🤔
When this guy’s talking about stuff like this and not the pandering pundit bullshit he’s been making money on the past couple years, he’s actually great. I’m in engineering, worked trades before that. I’ve known brilliant tradespeople and retarded engineering students. Your career doesn’t define your intelligence, you can be smarter than the job requires.
while I mostly agree I do think peterson here has a small misconception, just because you chose blue collar work doesnt mean you dont have the “mental horsepower” to compete with other people in competitive fields like law or medical, now yes most trades people youll find might not be as smart but many just saw it as something better then their other desired options. I personally dropped out of University while pursuing a degree in computer science to learn how to do electrical work, im sure my iq would rank among those in the computer science field but it was just boring for me and learning it didnt feel fun, learning how electricity works was fun and its why I chose trade school. That said I dont think Peterson meant this as an attack, rather hes just slightly socially unaware at times when hes in the middle of his talks.
Yup, I’m 43 years old. I have a 7 year old son that I get to see 8 days a month. I didn’t leave him, I was forced away. I pay $1100 a month but I’m a dead beat dad. If my sons mom dosent let me see him, I have to pay $900 and wait 7 months to hear a judge tell her, “don’t do that’.. she does It twice and he is 18. I didn’t leave my sons life. I was kicked out if it. And there is nothing I can do about it
I got a 1390 on my SAT, I had a 3.95 GPA when I graduated from high school. I went to a 4 year university on an academic scholarship. I lasted one semester and I realized it wasn’t for me. I got a job at a local fab shop and learned to weld, read blueprints, figure out dimensions and weights, and make some pretty neat stuff in the process. I’m now an ironworker in a mill and I love doing it. There’s nothing that is subservient about working with your hands. Academia has become a business and they make teenagers and individuals that graduated with useless degrees look down on blue collar workers, while they have 120,000 in debt while making $45,000 a year and the tradesman is making $115,000 with no debt.
He takes issue with subservience while I take issue with the idea that blue-collar workers have no semblance of brilliance. The most likely deciding factor that you will succeed has nothing to do with your IQ but the class you were born into in society. The media has fin making us look foolish but we are at the bottom dregs of the economy so we are used to having abuse piled onto us with little recourse to defend ourselves.
Been an auto tech for over 32 yrs. Drop me off anywhere in this world and I will have a job before the sun sets. You fat check suit and ties would starve to death before you learned the language to begin looking. Having a trade makes me free the company needs me not I who need them. I can walk whenever I so chose to and have. They send college students to work with me once they’ve graduated. I’ve mentored many of the “college” educated and I’m not impressed to say the least. College has done nothing for these kids but settle them with loan debt and wasted 4yrs of their lives. The failure rate is staggering with well over 75% leaving the field all together within the 1st 2yrs. College is a joke absolutely useless outside stem fields.