[seem_2211]

My dad was an auto mechanic (before he bought a small business), my mom hasn't worked since I was born, except for their business. Their friend group going back 25+ years were all pretty similar. All of their friends are now small business owners / self employed. And actually to date, I think they've been largely successful (I can't think of anyone who's gone bankrupt or had to close their business down involuntarily).

A few things I've observed: • My parents aren't intellectual, but they aren't stupid. They read a fair bit. My dad can be pretty dismissive towards academics, but is very pro-learning. • They're pretty conservative - both socially, but more importantly, financially. This seems to be pretty entrenched in their group.

This thread is pretty instructive, in that you've got highly paid techies saying "$60k isn't much money vs what I can make." I think the stereotype in tradespeople not being seen from a position of high status is that there's a very real ceiling on how much you can make (in the same way that there is working for the government).

But there's also got to be something said for the fact that the people making the big jumps in life (at least from a perception point of view) have all gone to college. My parents might have started their careers blue collar - and my Grandparents were all blue collar throughout their careers, but every single grandchild on both sides of the family to date, has gone or is studying at University.