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BTW- I did learn spot welding and machining when I took civil engineering course. I loved it. Now if I can get my hands on a torch I’ll be set for life 🙂
It’s especially true for people who are self-employed or freelancers. For most of my life I worked freelance and did really really well.had a lot of money in the bank, and retirement funds.So did my ex. then it all fell apart and I literally lost everything. Still trying to make it up but so far it doesn’t seem to be working well.
I’m first generation and for us, we were raised to know we were going to college or else. Russian Jews who cam here in the early years of the 20th century didn’t want their children working in the trades- I know my father would have hated the idea that I worked in the garment industry for many years, despite having gone to college.
On the other hand, he and my mother also gave me a love of sewing and hand craftsmanship. But for most immigrant families from their generation, they wanted everyone to be a doctor or a lawyer or a teacher, not a tradesman. they thought vocational traiing was for kids who weer dumb- and that was really sad to me.
But we don’t seem to appreciate teaching people trades anymore, dibs. It’s a sad rality- money for trades schools is being taken away, and I don’t know of any trade high schools left in NYC (I’m sure I’m ust be wrong on this) but there used to be so many, and in the regular high schools there were trades programs. Somehow educators and others got the idea that teaching kids trades was a bad thing.
And those of us who lost everything for reasons beyond our control (unforeseen illnesses, divorce, etc). Sometimes you can do everything right and it all falls apart.
BTW- I did learn spot welding and machining when I took civil engineering course. I loved it. Now if I can get my hands on a torch I’ll be set for life 🙂
It’s especially true for people who are self-employed or freelancers. For most of my life I worked freelance and did really really well.had a lot of money in the bank, and retirement funds.So did my ex. then it all fell apart and I literally lost everything. Still trying to make it up but so far it doesn’t seem to be working well.
Coney Island adn Nathans is heaven! I have a question for you- you just reminded me. Can you email me at bx2bklyn at gmail com?
I’m first generation and for us, we were raised to know we were going to college or else. Russian Jews who cam here in the early years of the 20th century didn’t want their children working in the trades- I know my father would have hated the idea that I worked in the garment industry for many years, despite having gone to college.
On the other hand, he and my mother also gave me a love of sewing and hand craftsmanship. But for most immigrant families from their generation, they wanted everyone to be a doctor or a lawyer or a teacher, not a tradesman. they thought vocational traiing was for kids who weer dumb- and that was really sad to me.
You are absolutely right.
But we don’t seem to appreciate teaching people trades anymore, dibs. It’s a sad rality- money for trades schools is being taken away, and I don’t know of any trade high schools left in NYC (I’m sure I’m ust be wrong on this) but there used to be so many, and in the regular high schools there were trades programs. Somehow educators and others got the idea that teaching kids trades was a bad thing.
Thanks, dona- i really appreciate that. Someday when I’m rich, I am taking you out to dinner- at someplace other than Applebee’s 🙂
And those of us who lost everything for reasons beyond our control (unforeseen illnesses, divorce, etc). Sometimes you can do everything right and it all falls apart.
bfarwell, go to the Chinese guys on the corner of Smith and 3rd Sts. Tell them I sent you (Roberta).