The biggest two idols of this age are no some kind of new age thing. Instead they are ourselves and our jobs. Penelope Trask is quite correct. The corporate world requires that you give up everything to reach the upper levels of management in the corporate world.
Once we get honest about what you need to do to get to the top, we can start having a real discussion about how to make choices in adult life. The reality of today’s workforce is that if you want to have a big job where you have prestige and money and power, you probably need a stay-at-home spouse. Or two full-time nannies. Which means most people don’t have the option to go on the fast track, because most people have not set their lives up this way.
So let’s just admit that most of us are not on the fast-track. Stop bitching that people won’t let slow people on the fast track. Stop saying that it’s bad for family. It’s great for family. It means people will not continue operating under the delusion that you can be a hands-on parent and a top performer. People will make real choices and own those choices.
The trouble is that work is a fallen idol. The economy is tanking. The corporation you are working for will not be there in ten years as it is — those that do not change will have been discarded.
It is better to be human. It is better to know your children. It is better not to worship that idol: it will not sustain you.
Aaron Clarey argues — with some reason — that the USA is in decline. I’m a simpler soul, and see that nation as bankrupt. Aaron’s cure is what he calls minimalism, but I call nutraditionalism. Here is my spin:
- Only go to university if you are getting a professional qualification. If possible, do that from home.
- Don’t own property in a nation with state property taxes. Rent.
- Live cheap. This means you need less income. Which means one of you can raise the kids.
- If you live in a country with a good national state school system (France, Germany, NZ) use it. If not, home-school.
- Entertain at home.
- Buy quality: second hand if possible, and maintain it. (Exception: computers. There is no value in buying anything but the cheapest).
- Don’t Retire.
- Live somewhere with a high quality of life and an hour travel to hospital. If you collapse, you die.
Finally, and this is where I think Aaron has it wrong, do not rely on the state. For it too, will fail you. Instead, rely on family friends, keep up interests, and fuel this with a series of jobs or projects.
