Why do people see themselves as their careers?

Question

As in society has us ask people, what are you, to which they reply im an electrician, ect. Why don't people judge each other off who you are rather than what job you have?

Answer 1

In a society that places high value on money, power, and prestige "What do you do?" it's really a social code for a number of other questions such as "What class do you belong to?" and "How do I measure up against you?"

This is an excellent question, and one that I myself have wondered at for awhile. Lives should be more than careers.

I'm not sure where you're from, but I know that what you're describing is prevalent in the United States (at least in the areas I'm famiiar with). However, it's not true everywhere. Here on the island of Puerto Rico, people (at least the locals) understand the concept that life is more than a job. A lot of people here (at least the ones that aren't unemployed) just work to pay the bills and feed the family, the rest of the time they're at the beach, with family, or doing other things that they enjoy. I would guess that this wider separation of career and identity exists other places worldwide as well.


~ FR