WORK

I have to write an essay for school on the concept of "WORK" and I am having so much difficulty organizing my thoughts. A friend told me that if a person doesn't work or go to school then they must be "retarded." She was serious, too. It's actually kind of sad because she was referring to her sister who refuses to work. Moreover, she refuses to apply for General Assistance because she's not about to explain to an agency why she can't work. She would rather live with her parents, eat their food, drive their car, and usually has something to complain about. Did I mention that her teeth are starting to fall out? I guess she is retarded.
American culture is deeply rooted with the "Protestant Work Ethic" which states that "Idle hands are the devil's workshop." I agree, too. My hands have been idle for almost ten years. Indeed, much of that time was spent in the "devil's workshop." I have noticed that for many people getting a "good" job and keeping it is a measure of success. For others, having money and "things" (no matter how attained) is a measure of success. Our identities are formed, in many respects, by the jobs that we hold or want to hold. But who decides what a "good" job is? What if you work every day for your entire life scrubbing toilets? Would this define you as a toilet scrubber or a hard worker?
I worked for many years and enjoyed what I did but I would not want to be defined by what I was doing (a professional paper pusher). What about if a person has worked their whole life and suddenly gets hit by a bus and becomes paralyzed and can no longer function the way they did before? Will their new paralysis become their new identity?
In American culture, it is appropriate to ask what one does. So what do you do? They might as well ask each other "so who do you sleep with? or how big is your @#%!?" This is private information and it is amazing that the "so what do you do?" question is OK to ask, especially now that we live in such a politically correct world. It's intrusive.
The fortune in a fortune cookie once said "You are defined by your responsibilities." I like that statement because an individuals responsibilities vary from person to person. It goes across the entire spectrum. Responsibilities could be parenting, managing a work force, having safe sex, paying your bills on time, making sure that the people around you have what they need, making a Cape Cod for a customer, spinning records, sorting mail, or getting to class on time, etc.
Work is important for me because it is the only way that I can have the things I need in order to be happy. MONEY MONEY MONEY The more money you have the more freedom you are able to obtain. Whenever someone else is paying your bills you must answer to them.
Work also gives people a structure to live. This is important, however, structure can be obtained with other things (i.e., volunteering, religion, etc.) For the most part, working sucks! Unless, you are one of those fortunate people who are able to support themselves by doing what they love. I love playing video games but is that going to pay my rent?