I have always gotten the impression I am an older member of this community. At 40, I share many more similarities with Boomers than Zoomers, and have an above average lifestyle than many in the sub, despite living in California. So, why does someone like me post here?
The recent news about child labor laws being relaxed is the best example of why I am here. See, despite being 40 years old, if you were to take my total lifetime hours working and divide it by 2080 to represent one year of full-time work, I have 49.2 years of work experience.
Why? I grew up on a dairy and was conscripted to chores starting at the age of five that ran 3 hours before school and 5 hours every night after. In the summer, we also harvested feed crops that often put me to twelve hour days. The result of this is that I have the mental and physical difficulties typically associated with someone 20 years my senior.
But instead of a typical boomer mentality , I have another influence in my life. I have 4 children below 12 years old, and I am actively guiding their lives. So, how does that change my mindset? I will NOT support any law, organization, political movement, or even thought that advocates my children go through anything like what I went through.
I want my children to play. I want them to go on hiking trips with their friends just because they can. I want them to want to travel and have the time and resources to do so at least every few years or so without having to take out a loan. But most importantly, I want them to be able to look any employer that treats them like a number or an asset instead of a person dead in the eye, and say, “Fuck you!”
Unlike some in this sub, I think work is an intrinsic and important part of a positive human experience. But the values I see here of having “work” be the thing you love to do even if it doesn't really have a lot of value to society right now are what I wish more people could pursue.
I was desperate to get off the farm. So much so that I almost killed myself getting multiple degrees, each aimed at moving me further away from labor. I am not so enthusiastic gearing my children up for college. I tell my oldest son all the time that if he wants to be a janitor because that makes him happy, he has my full support.
I guess what I am saying is I appreciate your support in influencing how the world progresses, so my children don't have to take up the yolk during childhood and can actually enjoy a life where they have choices and options. I hope options and opportunities come to each of you as well.
End of rant.