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A conversation I had with ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
jrigg got me thinking about this.
By the definitions of several people I have spoken with (friends, family, etc.), I have never "worked" a day in my life. I have never had a food service/labor intensive/menial job that pays minimum wage (or close to that). Many people seem to place great value in these positions for the life lessons they teach you, and take a condescending tone when saying I have never "worked a real job." There seems to be a moral superiority if not a financial one that comes from having worked a blue-collar type job for many (by no means all! that is not my claim and I don't intend to offend anyone, I'm just analyzing some various perspectives).
To frame my point of view- I have worked in political campaigns and laboratory settings exclusively. I haven't been paid a terrible amount for these positions, but it was above minimum wage and was generally intellectually stimulating work. I entered college at 16 and haven't paid any of my own money for it- I applied for many scholarships before college that have supported me relatively well. I have never left school and have maintained a high GPA while taking a sometimes strenuous, sometimes not so strenuous course load. I have no idea how well I will be able to find a job after graduating this semester, but even if I cannot, I am in a good position to enter grad school and can do that (and plan on it, after a year or so of "experience").
It often seems that I am at a moral disadvantage when I discuss "work" with people who have "worked real jobs." But when I consider the amount of investment I have put into (to put it simply) taking care of myself, and making sure I am in a good position to attain a comfortable lifestyle, it almost seems to me like I should be able to claim the "moral superiority." If not that, then at least claim that my point of view on work is valid, because I have "worked hard" at trying to have an easier life than a grind-type job. My overarching goal in all my work has been to NOT have to work at a menial grind, and I think that's a valid life objective.
However, it seems that if I try to claim the moral position, I just come off as a snobby bitch who thinks she's better than everyone else. Also, not claiming the moral position seems almost condescending... in a different way. By not actively stating that I think I have done better for myself, I'm effectively patting someone on the head and saying "oh, you're right, you're such a good worker!" or some such nonsense.
Any thoughts? I'm not really trying to pick a fight, was just meandering through my mind out loud.
jrigg got me thinking about this. By the definitions of several people I have spoken with (friends, family, etc.), I have never "worked" a day in my life. I have never had a food service/labor intensive/menial job that pays minimum wage (or close to that). Many people seem to place great value in these positions for the life lessons they teach you, and take a condescending tone when saying I have never "worked a real job." There seems to be a moral superiority if not a financial one that comes from having worked a blue-collar type job for many (by no means all! that is not my claim and I don't intend to offend anyone, I'm just analyzing some various perspectives).
To frame my point of view- I have worked in political campaigns and laboratory settings exclusively. I haven't been paid a terrible amount for these positions, but it was above minimum wage and was generally intellectually stimulating work. I entered college at 16 and haven't paid any of my own money for it- I applied for many scholarships before college that have supported me relatively well. I have never left school and have maintained a high GPA while taking a sometimes strenuous, sometimes not so strenuous course load. I have no idea how well I will be able to find a job after graduating this semester, but even if I cannot, I am in a good position to enter grad school and can do that (and plan on it, after a year or so of "experience").
It often seems that I am at a moral disadvantage when I discuss "work" with people who have "worked real jobs." But when I consider the amount of investment I have put into (to put it simply) taking care of myself, and making sure I am in a good position to attain a comfortable lifestyle, it almost seems to me like I should be able to claim the "moral superiority." If not that, then at least claim that my point of view on work is valid, because I have "worked hard" at trying to have an easier life than a grind-type job. My overarching goal in all my work has been to NOT have to work at a menial grind, and I think that's a valid life objective.
However, it seems that if I try to claim the moral position, I just come off as a snobby bitch who thinks she's better than everyone else. Also, not claiming the moral position seems almost condescending... in a different way. By not actively stating that I think I have done better for myself, I'm effectively patting someone on the head and saying "oh, you're right, you're such a good worker!" or some such nonsense.
Any thoughts? I'm not really trying to pick a fight, was just meandering through my mind out loud.