My parents collect cans for a living

Re:My parents collect cans for a living by bjourne on Monday December 20, 2021 @04:05AM (#29622712)

Not to be contrarian, but it seems like the shame around poverty is just as strong as it ever was. Or else why are all these stories and anecdotes on the form "My parents collected cans but I made a career and I don't collect cans" or "I used to collect cans but then I got some kind of break through my hard work and now I don't collect cans anymore". It's a lot like depression: "I used to be depressed but then I worked out/bootstrapped myself/whatever and now I'm not depressed anymore."

So. Are there any people on HN currently collecting cans?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:My parents collect cans for a living by stavros on Monday December 20, 2021 @06:37AM (#29623696)

> it seems like the shame around poverty is just as strong as it ever was

I had the same thought as I was reading. It was all "our struggles make us stronger", not "being poor isn't something to be ashamed about". I had the opposite reaction of most people here, I found it sad that she has to act like the fact that she grew up poor was some personal deficiency she needed to overcome, rather than a tragedy that largely happens randomly due to the circumstances of your birth.

People shouldn't have "to be supportive". It's like telling someone you have diabetes and being relieved when they don't make fun of you. No, not making fun of you should be the default.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:My parents collect cans for a living by pessimizer on Monday December 20, 2021 @10:08AM (#29625695)

Because this is pornography meant to reassure the reading audience that quality people will always find their level in the end.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:My parents collect cans for a living by Warrenio on Monday December 20, 2021 @01:46PM (#29628392)

That interpretation isn't justified. The author makes it clear that she is still financially dependent on her parents, who still collect cans for a living.

[ Parent | on HN ]