While I was talking with a family member on my wife’s side the other day it occurred to me that the meaning of gainful employment has changed drastically in just a few generations. This is especially true for many immigrant families. For some these changes still remain to be realized. That side of the story is sobering.

He was telling me what it was like for his father growing up in China (my wife’s family is from Hong Kong). He told me how his father had to flee his parents in order to survive. His parents told him to leave because they were afraid that if he stayed he might die of starvation. After he left and returned some years later, he was able to find his mom, but discovered that his dad had probably died from starvation or malnutrition. He also told me about how his father had been sold as a servant after he was forced to leave his family.

As we were talking it occurred to me that for his father, gainful employment was about survival. You didn’t work to find meaning or satisfaction. You worked to survive and you probably worked really hard.

Gainful employment is different today for most Americans. For anyone reading this blog, you are probably in a place where you are not working to survive. Your next paycheck will probably not determine whether you live or die (or someone in your family).

I consider myself fortunate to be able to ask deeper questions about the meaning of work. I have a choice. I hope within my lifetime, more of my neighbors will have the freedom and standard of living to be in the same position.

Tags: work, poverty