Re:I killed my teenager’s fancy college dreams
by tptacek on Friday December 27, 2019 @05:10PM
(#21895192)
The idea that people shouldn't do demanding physical work, and that everyone should to the best of their ability make sure their own kids don't, doesn't seem to me like a good way to structure a society.
My uncle was an electrician (he's retired now), and so is one of his sons, and they both seem pretty happy with their lives. Happier than a lot of tech workers I know.
Re:I killed my teenager’s fancy college dreams
by bonoboTP on Friday December 27, 2019 @05:36PM
(#21895376)
Most individual people don't try to structure society, they try to improve their and their families' lives.
I don't fault anyone for not sacrificing themselves for the greater good of society at large.
And yes, for sure, there can be shitty, stressful and low-paid office jobs and fulfilling, well-paid physical work. If someone finds an example of the latter, I see no reason why they wouldn't recommend it to their kids.
Especially people who do physical work themselves try to make sure their kids won't have to. E.g. my grandparents, who were simple village folks working in the fields, made sure to support their kids in getting educated. (Despite all its nastyness, one of the few good things about socialist Hungary was that this kind of upward mobility was possible and encouraged).