DIGNITY OF WORKING
There is
dignity in working. There is dignity in doing what you do irrespective of how
much you earn. This is what the guy that won a lottery is lacking; what the
rich kid with inheritance is missing out on; dignity of work. What if I disagree?
Well you might
, just read through and get my point.
, just read through and get my point.
I know
that work is widely seen as activity which is done exclusively for the sake of
something; something worth doing as a means to an end. Of course, gainful
employment in many countries is done for the sake of earning income: it
is how most people make a living for themselves and their families. This is
also why we have lots of migration today especially from third world nations to
the G-7 nations.
Work is valuable from a worker’s
point of view because of the income it brings. And from a socio-economic point
of view, it is instrumental in the creation of common wealth (GDP). But,
dignity of working goes deeper than this hence; those who get an income
without working (lottery, inheritance or benefits) would not really be missing
out on anything.
Moreover, it is clear
that the lives of people who do not work are typically lacking in certain areas.
Research shows that lack of work adversely affects physical and mental health. People
are more likely to suffer from obesity, depression and emptiness, if they are
unemployed or not working. So, one dignity of work is self-esteem.
Self-esteem is the sense of having a perception of the worth
of one’s own existence, bound up with the recognition one receives from others
of one’s competences, achievements and contributions. A lot of people are loved
by family and friends just because of who they are; a somebody.
Another dignity of work
is that it gives a sense of connection. According to French sociologist
Durkheim: “By participating in the division of labour individuals can come to a
livelier appreciation of their dependence on others and the need for
cooperation.” On a serious note, daily practice of cooperative problem-solving
provides vital training for individuals.
Also, health: the
exercise and development of skills, capacities and the mind. Working improves
the soundness of the mind. This is why individuals who work are mostly
on top of their games while they work and when they stop, there is always a
difference in attitude and frame of mind, no matter how they manage it.
There is
indeed dignity in working. Although, there are jobs that may not be palatable
or ethical due to level of organization; just know that which you need and go
for it. The benefits of working are as much a matter of what one does while
working, and of the social relations one enjoys or endures there, as they are
of the economic power it brings.
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