is it admirable?

red_devil

just a comment to run by you. Is it admirable that a young person is working and supporting themself. The person that made the comment thinks so and that's right for them but i wondered is it really admirable or just what you would expect????

thorsoak

I would think so - yes! Unless, of course, the work that the young person is doing is illegal! And yes, it is also what I would expect - my children were brought up to think that the world that they lived in needed them to work and support themselves - why would they not think this?

flutterby_lil

how old is this young person?

If he/she is 7 then no it isn't really it is slave labour! If a teenager and working to support themself and buy extra things so they are not asking you then yes it is in my eyes.

VfM4meplse

As you alluded to OP, it's all down to context. It would be admirable if we were referring to Bill Gate's children cleaning toilets for a living, but not for those of us that exist in the real world.

Person_one

Its a sad sign of the way things are that its considered admirable.

Depending on the age and circumstances of the young person (disabled, student, 17, 22, parent, carer etc) then its likely that it should be normal.

However, given the state of youth unemployment, the truth is that this person is probably just lucky.

red_devil

flutterby_lil wrote: »

how old is this young person?

If he/she is 7 then no it isn't really it is slave labour! If a teenager and working to support themself and buy extra things so they are not asking you then yes it is in my eyes.

Left school of working age, i wouldnt have mentioned it had they been 7.

mrcow

Well it's admirable if anyone is working towards something positve in their lives, including starting/building a career.

Why would it not be?

DVardysShadow

Admirable on the young person, yes. Admirable on society, no.

mountainofdebt

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Admirable on the young person, yes. Admirable on society, no.

Why not on Society?

Have we become so used to being supported by the State that if a person, whether that be old or young, supports themselves we see it as odd.

Shouldn't being supported by the State be the rarity not the norm?

balletshoes

In this economy, when jobs are getting harder to come by, I'd feel it was admirable (ie they are not sitting on their bums moaning that they haven't got a job/have no money/subbing off all and sundry).

However, it does really depend on the context. While I do feel its admirable, in my household its also expected ie if you're not continuing your education, you get a job and support yourself.

Callie22

Just lately, I've found myself a few times in the odd position of having to 'defend' my life-choices - i.e. that I work, don't claim benefits, don't have kids, pay my way in society. I've actually been called 'stupid' and an 'idiot' by members of my extended family who think it's a weird way to live your life. I've nothing against those who for whatever reason can't do those things, but it's definitely more than a bit sad that in society at the moment it's seen as idiotic to work and pay your way.

So, although we'd like to think that working and supporting yourself should be done without question, that's just not the case in society and young people who do this should be admired, as it's not always the easy choice. I have no problem at all with agreeing with a comment that instills a bit of pride in someone.