Thursday, August 18, 2011

A New Generation

There is something that has been on my mind recently. I remember going through a little crisis as a young married mama, because it was drilled into our heads in public school that if we didn't do as we were told, or didn't make the best grades or test scores, that we would be sentenced to a life of working at places like McDonalds.

I made wonderful grades, and did wonderful things in school, but found myself doing a variety of different jobs while I was in college and even afterwards. Every job that I have ever had, I have taken very seriously. It didn't matter if I was a musician, salesperson, telemarketer, insurance agent, Mary Kay lady, activity director or laundry attendant, I have worked as hard as I could.

The dilemma is that I often felt very badly about myself and my position. As I grow and change, I realize that was hogwash. Where would we be in this world if there were no food service workers, janitors, dry cleaners, babysitters, store cashiers, and so forth? Are we doing our children any favors by treating some people as though they are more lowly than others because they didn't attend college or chose to be stay at home parents even after college? What is wrong with us?

I am doing as much as I possibly can to encourage my children to take the career path that they choose, but if they have to wait tables to get through college, or to make a little extra cash during hard times, is that such a bad thing?

Let's raise a generation of hard workers, just like our grandparents, and their grandparents, and teach them to make no apologies for choosing to earn an honest wage instead of dealing drugs or engaging in sinful activities in pursuit of the dollar.

2 comments:

  1. I couldn't agree more. Even though I work with public schools I work with Career Technology Education (CTE) teachers and programs. My philosophy is, "Some kids go to college. All kids go to work." Most jobs/careers require some kind of post-secondary training but that does not mean a four year degree.

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