The Dignity of Work

      Yes, I'm quoting an elitist, Harvard political philosopher Michael Sandel, in order to make a point about the dignity of work. It seems we have forgotten that most people in this country and in Europe do not receive a college education. The fact that they now need one to earn enough to raise a family is another topic for discussion. When did we get so hung up with credentials? I can recall growing up in a town where most of the women did not have college degrees and a fair number of the men as well. You didn't need a college degree to deliver the mail, teach wood shop, or work in a retail store. These were respected jobs and enabled people to enter the middle class and own their own home.

...."On asking what we can do to make life better for people, whatever their credentials. That, however lustrous, however modest their circumstances, they can live dignified lives and be recognized. Not only rewarded, but recognized for the work they do, for the families they raise, for the communities they serve. Be recognized for contributions to the common good.

 

     We could simply blame globalization and our collective desire for flat-screen TVs which cost less than a $1000 but that would only be scratching the surface. We have to include all the cues we receive every day about having more stuff and why this is better than a life of simplicity. 

     This simpler life I imagine would be one where kids would say, "I'm bored" to their friends and parents. Being bored is fine and is a signal to use one's own mind to create a less boring outlook. I don't think we have the a single boring moment in our lives today. Children have so many choices in which to invest their time, and some activities like video games can take all of their attention and then some.

     Which brings me back to the need for bestowing dignity upon work. I understand that paper routes are never again going to be first jobs. I'd also include leaf raking, snow shoveling, and cutting grass on that list. What's going to take their place?

     First we need to re-establish a trust among neighbors to allow for today's youth to do things like teaching people how to use their technology safely. Or cleaning out an attic or basement; anything involving a bit of lifting and cleaning. But first a trust in one another must exist. In previous eras trust was created by participation in groups like Girl Scouts with their cookies. Unfortunately, this devolved into seeing who could get the most cookies sold by whatever means and the work aspect was completely lost. How much work is it to give your sign-up list to Mom and Dad to take to work? Not much.

     I don't have any good answers. I can only see that we have a great many lonely people who have the means to hire youngsters for their first paid jobs. Maybe it could be expanded to include hiring any under-employed adult. People would have to get over stigma of being under-employed and having to do manual labor. It's not an impossible suggestion though first there would have to be a confidence in the character, ability and truth in the people making the transaction. We've spent a lot of time denigrating manual labor by underpaying and not giving it the respect it deserves. A college education is not a lifetime pass from doing manual labor. Just ask all the former service workers who lost their jobs and now have student loans to repay.