Plumbers, auto mechanics, heating and air-conditioning specialists–these are what are called “skilled professions.” Plumbers in particular have to undergo an apprenticement for several years, and many hours of training. Auto mechanics have to pass certification tests.
Many people, myself included, do not have the right kind of intelligence to enter these professions. I don’t have any mechanical aptitude and I’m helpless with tools, wires, and pipes.
I think the word “menial” was an unfortunate word choice. I’m sure the poster was not referring to the professions listed above. I’m guessing that the poster was referring to jobs like fast food worker, retail sales, office assistant, housekeeping, etc.
Certainly on a spiritual level, these jobs are worthwhile, meaningful, and can be fulfilling and enjoyable. We should not look down upon such people or consider ourselves better.
But these jobs generally don’t pay a living wage, and they generally do not provide benefits adequate to support a family. That’s what the poster was referring to when he/she used the word “menial.”
These jobs were never meant to support families; most of them were meant as temporary part-time work for teenagers, college students, and as second jobs for people who are trying to make a little extra money for family pleasures, debt repayment, etc.
Often these types of jobs do not last. People burn out quickly and leave these jobs to search for something better, and many people without college degrees or technical school training end up in another similiar job with inadequate salary and no or inadequate benefits.
Often a college degree, or a year or two in a business school, is enough to qualify a person for a management position. Instead of making the french fries, a person can manage the whole restaurant, and in the process, receive a higher salary and full-time benefits. Or instead of selling clothing or computers, a person can manage the whole store or even the mall or shopping center. Or instead of assisting in the office, a person can get a job as the Administrative Aid, or Secretary, or Office Manager–these jobs are generally better-paying and come with benefits. Or instead of scrubbing floors and making beds, a person could manage the team of housekeepers.
But generally speaking, people do not rise to management positions without some kind of post-high-school education. And people do not do skilled professions without tech school or apprenticeship.
Without that education, many people remain in a job that doesn’t pay a living wage and doesn’t provide benefits.
There are plenty of people on CAF, especially women, who write anquished posts about money struggles. It may sound spiritual to be poor, but on a daily basis, it is very difficult to struggle along and wonder if you will have enough money to buy food for your children. For a man attempting to support a wife and children, this kind of povery and struggle can be completely demoralizing. His masculinity is dependent on providing for his family. When he can’t, even working several jobs, he becomes despondent. Just read more posts in this section and you’ll see that I speak the truth.
There’s a huge difference between materialism and wanting enough money to pay for a decent, worry-free lifestyle. We should not look down on those who want to make enough money to provide their families with good things and even luxuries. That is not materialism. Materialism is entirely relative. To someone with nothing, the person who possesses a crust of bread can be considered materialistic. Many of the poor are more materilistic than the rich because materialism is an attitude of wanting–think about that. We need to be careful about throwing such a serious accusation at others.
BTW, an x-ray technologist has a FOUR YEAR COLLEGE DEGREE and a year of internship. Most hospital professions in technical fields require a Bachelor’s Degree. And an x-ray tech makes good money and good benefits, and enjoys a satisfying profession helping people and saving lives.
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