[auscanman]

The Globe and Mail, Canada's main newspaper, had as their poll question "Is your personal identity defined by your career?"

When I first saw the question, I figured maybe 10% max would answer yes, but as it turns out a whopping 31% answer in the affirmative! Do these people not have family, friends, hobbies, or interests that matter to them?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ ... VoteResult

[Ferretlover]

I suspect those who voted that their careers did not define them were not all being truthful--if they Really thought about it.
When those who define themselves by their careers lose those careers.... well, it is not going to be a pretty sight. It can be a daunting task to redefine one's self while trying to deal with increased stress.

[POAlex]

Given what television and the movies dictate, its no wonder.

Alex

[bodigami]

I am not surprised. People around the world are indoctrinated to crave being a "quality component" of the "great" machine that is industrial civilization.

[SeaGypsy]

Does being a 'career tart' (having a wide variety of work experience) count as an identity?

[Narz]

Don't see what's wrong with this, if I had a fulfilling career I would probably identify with it.

[seldom_seen]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('bodinagamin', 'I') am not surprised. People around the world are indoctrinated to crave being a "quality component" of the "great" machine that is industrial civilization.

[SeaGypsy]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('seldom_seen', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('bodinagamin', 'I') am not surprised. People around the world are indoctrinated to crave being a "quality component" of the "great" machine that is industrial civilization.

[seldom_seen]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SeaGypsy', 'O')r this this attitude endemic?

[vision-master]

It's about what kind of 'ride' you have.

[pedalling_faster]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ferretlover', 'I') suspect those who voted that their careers did not define them were not all being truthful--if they Really thought about it.
When those who define themselves by their careers lose those careers.... well, it is not going to be a pretty sight. It can be a daunting task to redefine one's self while trying to deal with increased stress.

[lper100km]

Why is that depressing? Most people find their fulfillment through some kind of work. Work is an expression of skill sets, personality and a desire to be productive. There is plenty of opportunity for someone to define themselves via the workplace ie their substitute ‘village society’. I’m somewhat surprised to see that the percentage is not more. That says more about the mismatch between jobs and personal attributes than anything else.

Most names found their origins in jobs that defined our ancestors – baker, thatcher, smith etc – so there was no confusion about what defined a person in those days. Why should that be any different today?

[vision-master]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('lper100km', 'W')hy is that depressing? Most people find their fulfillment through some kind of work. Work is an expression of skill sets, personality and a desire to be productive. There is plenty of opportunity for someone to define themselves via the workplace ie their substitute ‘village society’. I’m somewhat surprised to see that the percentage is not more. That says more about the mismatch between jobs and personal attributes than anything else.

Most names found their origins in jobs that defined our ancestors – baker, thatcher, smith etc – so there was no confusion about what defined a person in those days. Why should that be any different today?

[lper100km]

Back to the OP.

The question has to do with identity being defined by career.

From what you say, in that community, you were defined as ‘he who was treated badly inversely to the more he knew’.

Who says people are not defined by work?

[auscanman]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('lper100km', 'W')hy is that depressing? Most people find their fulfillment through some kind of work. Work is an expression of skill sets, personality and a desire to be productive. There is plenty of opportunity for someone to define themselves via the workplace ie their substitute ‘village society’. I’m somewhat surprised to see that the percentage is not more. That says more about the mismatch between jobs and personal attributes than anything else.

Most names found their origins in jobs that defined our ancestors – baker, thatcher, smith etc – so there was no confusion about what defined a person in those days. Why should that be any different today?

[lper100km]

You are making totally unwarranted assumptions about the private lives of millions of people of whom you have absolutely no knowledge. You further assume that their workplace identity is the one they carry with them at all times – ie is the only one they have. That is absolute nonsense.

So if there were no dominating corporations and nothing but small entrepreneurial businesses, would your end scenario be any different? I think not. The small business owners would be just as aggressive, if not more so in their efforts to survive. There is no escaping the competitive nature of the business world – it is civiliation’s substitute for the jungle.

[vision-master]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('lper100km', 'Y')ou are making totally unwarranted assumptions about the private lives of millions of people of whom you have absolutely no knowledge. You further assume that their workplace identity is the one they carry with them at all times – ie is the only one they have. That is absolute nonsense.

So if there were no dominating corporations and nothing but small entrepreneurial businesses, would your end scenario be any different? I think not. The small business owners would be just as aggressive, if not more so in their efforts to survive. There is no escaping the competitive nature of the business world – it is civiliation’s substitute for the jungle.

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('POAlex', 'G')iven what television and the movies dictate, its no wonder.

Alex

[Sixstrings]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')he Globe and Mail, Canada's main newspaper, had as their poll question "Is your personal identity defined by your career?"

When I first saw the question, I figured maybe 10% max would answer yes, but as it turns out a whopping 31% answer in the affirmative! Do these people not have family, friends, hobbies, or interests that matter to them?

[RonMN]

I would agree that 31% seems low. I lost my job in august & have not even looked for another...And more than half the people I know can't deal with that fact.

This is accross the entire spectrum (friends, family, neighbors, ex-coworkers, etc.). Some "worry" about me while others think I'm plain stupid or lazy (I'd agree with lazy but after 25 years of working, I deserve a break) and some simply wont even talk to me any more. I find their attitudes to be a little disturbing as I have never complained once about my financials or being jobless. To be honest it makes me concerned for THEIR mental stability.

But anyhoo, my point was that it's well OVER HALF the people I know that seem to have a major malfunction of MY job sitch. Much more than 31%.