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>I'm tired of the narrative about how everyone over 30 can't work overtime because of their half-dozen special-needs children and their demanding spouse and the

by geogra4 13y ago

>I'm tired of the narrative about how everyone over 30 can't work overtime because of their half-dozen special-needs children and their demanding spouse and their massive underwater mortgage and whatever else. How about those with wives and children would rather spend time with them than at work? Is a work-life balance to be looked down upon? Why should the endless march of capital win at all costs vs human labor?

nostromo 13y ago
That's great! But it's not a function of age. I had more work/life balance in my 20s than I do now. Some people are the opposite. But it's an individual's choice to make, not some sort of natural law as it's often presented.
- toomuchtodo 13y ago
  I'm pretty certain work/life balance is codified in law, such as, "You pay me X, you get 40 hours a week of my time."
  - geogra4 13y ago
    I wish that was codified in to law. As exempt workers most tech workers don't get that kind of legal protection.
- mahranch 13y ago
  I actually think it IS a function of age. For example, while you personally have more time in your 30s, it's not true for the majority. An average person in their 30s will have experienced more "life" than someone in their 20s, so the chances are higher that they will have added obligations and responsibilities. Whether it's financial responsibilities or familial responsibilities, ignoring how life usually works out for the average person because your situation is different is a bit selfish. As much as kids in their 20s like to think they have their life planned out step by step, life has a way of throwing a wrench into those plans. I don't think its disingenuous at all to assume that people have less responsibilities in their 20s than in their 30s. A personal anecdote to the contrary doesn't really change that.
  - vnchr 13y ago
    Like material wealth, relationships and commitments generally increase over time.
    - runamok 13y ago
      I find I had more social relationships in my early 20s before I had a long term girlfriend and we moved to a new area. It's only through conscious effort that we maintain friendships with a few other couples. It would be easy to be lazy and just spend time with my partner. As people have kids perhaps they create new relationships with other couples with kids but they often grow apart from those that don't. Work commitments have varied through the years depending more on the company culture.

by geogra4 13y ago

nostromo 13y ago

That's great! But it's not a function of age. I had more work/life balance in my 20s than I do now. Some people are the opposite. But it's an individual's choice to make, not some sort of natural law as it's often presented.

toomuchtodo 13y ago
I'm pretty certain work/life balance is codified in law, such as, "You pay me X, you get 40 hours a week of my time."
- geogra4 13y ago
  I wish that was codified in to law. As exempt workers most tech workers don't get that kind of legal protection.
mahranch 13y ago
I actually think it IS a function of age. For example, while you personally have more time in your 30s, it's not true for the majority. An average person in their 30s will have experienced more "life" than someone in their 20s, so the chances are higher that they will have added obligations and responsibilities. Whether it's financial responsibilities or familial responsibilities, ignoring how life usually works out for the average person because your situation is different is a bit selfish. As much as kids in their 20s like to think they have their life planned out step by step, life has a way of throwing a wrench into those plans. I don't think its disingenuous at all to assume that people have less responsibilities in their 20s than in their 30s. A personal anecdote to the contrary doesn't really change that.
- vnchr 13y ago
  Like material wealth, relationships and commitments generally increase over time.
  - runamok 13y ago
    I find I had more social relationships in my early 20s before I had a long term girlfriend and we moved to a new area. It's only through conscious effort that we maintain friendships with a few other couples. It would be easy to be lazy and just spend time with my partner. As people have kids perhaps they create new relationships with other couples with kids but they often grow apart from those that don't. Work commitments have varied through the years depending more on the company culture.