Even without the Labor Shortage in this country, too many out there are lacking in the most basic of work ethics. Arrive on time, dressed properly, with the proper attitude to learn and to be taught.
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Oh look, an anti union, anti minimum wage multimillionaire who cosplays as a blue collar guy has some thoughts!
but is he wrong?
Yes, he is.
First of all, children are not born lazy.
Secondly, children are not born selfish. Psychological research demonstrates that babies possess spontaneous altruistic instincts, often helping strangers without reward from a very young age.
https://genmindful.com/blogs/mindful-moments/our-children-may-be-self-centered-but-they-arent-selfish?srsltid=AfmBOopBd1rrjiah0zpQ1y2hDYXkCsgPDiSIPDoOlDdJQRHxpkxqziop
The above beliefs are a result of lazy thinking. It’s easier to say this stuff than to actually learn about it. My first major job was because my boss knew I had a work ethic. My work ethic was learned from my father. Just as Rowe had did.
Rowe also goes into kids of the 60s and 70s pursuing college. In those days college was affordable, but it wasn’t offered as an only means of success. I recall a few public schools in my town that were essentially trade schools where auto repair, foundry, woodshopping, printing and drafting were offered as well as English, Math and Science. Some kids went on from there to actual trades schools where they went into their respective jobs. I know my school was not the only school with vocational offerings at that time. Plus, the moon landing spurned many into science and engineering. That was a choice taken, not a choice given.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230516-apollo-how-moon-missions-changed-the-modern-world
Similarly, vocational high schools were vital pathways to stable union jobs. After Reagan, who was anti-union, came into office, union jobs dissipated from over 30% to barely 10% now. Unions created the floor for wages and with the decline of unions, came the decline of pay in many trades, plus the biggest factor — manufacturing moving overseas when NAFTA came around. It was no surprise to see the vocational high schools close all their shop classrooms and focus themselves as college prep schools as jobs in management weren’t viewed to being shipped overseas.
Secondly, his claim that an entire generation was told they had to get a 4-year degree or they were screwed is misleading. Many were unable to afford college, especially past the 80s, (again because of Reagan, not because more people attended. Higher education went from 20% spent by students/80% by government to exactly the opposite)
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/government/politics-elections/2026/05/13/decline-gop-support-higher-ed-30-years-making
or when they managed to get money and graduate, they entered the job market to learn in the end they needed a masters in order to get the pay they sought. Understand too, in the 80s, the thinking was “greed is good”. The shows that were big, were about being rich: Dallas, Dynasty and Falcon Crest, including Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and the movie Wall Street. To ignore popular culture as a factor simply leads to not understanding a symptom.
Rowe claims people have simply “checked out” of looking for jobs, negating the why. People are stopping their job searches due to prolonged joblessness, caregiving responsibilities, early retirements, and accumulated savings, presented by a sluggish hiring environment. Don’t point out to me all the available jobs out there. This link goes into that thought: https://www.newsweek.com/americans-giving-up-looking-for-jobs-economy-unemployment-12162857
He incorrectly conflates a data center as the same as an AI facility. AI facilities rob areas of commonwealth resources which create higher costs for the residents. Rowe is using some correct info and putting forth incorrect conclusions by negating all the relevant facts regarding the issue.
Rowe consistently uses talking points without considering the facts surrounding those points.
I am, by no means dismissing poor work ethics, which was pretty much just a brief mention in this entire video, but Rowe completely misrepresents the issue being put forth, by putting his bigoted spin on it. The entire interview was pretty much anecdotal or was a misrepresentation of facts with absolutely no effort put into how the dynamics of politics, society and culture altered paths to seeking careers.
What hasn’t helped is the push that everyone should go to college when not everyone is cut out for college or ends up so far in debt that they pay for their tuition for the rest of their lives.
And not many people realize that blue-collar jobs pay well. An electrician can be making about 6 figures within a few years after entering the field–and they can get the training for free. Even the starting salary is about 60 grand or so–not bad for a 19- or 20-year old without college debt.
High schools should start promoting (or at least mentioning) blue-collar jobs.
And assigning chores to kids will help them not be afraid of work.
not to mention apprenticeship opportunities galore
A six figure salary only if you’re in a union. And conservatives have been fighting against the existence of unions.
Mike Rowe is a right wing racist with a very typical rich guy mentality as if he worked hard all his life. i can do ANY job for a day or maybe even a week, but any longer than that so many blue collar jobs just are too labor intensive and suck. That’s me, worked in the fields because we had to, knew that wasn’t for me. i don’t see Mike out there for decades working hard, he took the easy way out and condemning others for the same thing.