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Antiwork

Where did we get the idea that everyone should have a paying job no matter what?

The only exceptions I've really seen are for retired people who worked for decades and maybe people with disabilities and college students, though there's stigma there too. If you don't have a paying job then people judge the crap out of you, even if you do non-paying work such as domestic work, parenting, volunteering, etc. I live in America and feel that stigma so strongly here. We are taught that we are NEVER doing enough. I remember telling a coworker once that I was going to school full time on top of my job and that I was tired because of it, and her response was that her daughter had several jobs and kids and also was in school. This is the same coworker who thought it was ridiculous that I wouldn't work double shifts at a very physically demanding job, even though I ended up getting injured anyway from…


The only exceptions I've really seen are for retired people who worked for decades and maybe people with disabilities and college students, though there's stigma there too. If you don't have a paying job then people judge the crap out of you, even if you do non-paying work such as domestic work, parenting, volunteering, etc. I live in America and feel that stigma so strongly here. We are taught that we are NEVER doing enough.

I remember telling a coworker once that I was going to school full time on top of my job and that I was tired because of it, and her response was that her daughter had several jobs and kids and also was in school. This is the same coworker who thought it was ridiculous that I wouldn't work double shifts at a very physically demanding job, even though I ended up getting injured anyway from overworking. Honestly, with experiences like this, I've come to feel like working has only made my physical and mental health (I am also neurodivergent and never fully recovered from that physical injury) worse, and it's making me question why I'd do this if I don't have to. My husband does like working, makes enough to support us, and doesn't care if I work or not, but I feel so much shame about not wanting to do it anymore. I'm way happier doing all the domestic work and being able to vary my chores in a way that works for my health rather than having everything be regulated by a boss who wants me to work like a machine… But then I feel guilty for not doing MORE and making enough money that we could go on expensive vacations and buy a big house.

Why are we like this? Should laziness be measured by whether you have a paying job? When and why did the answer seem to become yes in our society?

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