KQED's Forum Americans are Obsessed with Working Hard. What is it Getting Us?
Mar 26, 2025
Adam Chandler, a journalist and author of "99% Perspiration" and "Drive-Thru Dreams," delves into the evolving American work ethic. He challenges the myth of the self-made worker, highlighting rising income inequality despite long hours. They discuss the phenomenon of 'quiet quitting' as a response to hustle culture and the fragile job security in today’s market. Chandler also critiques the romanticism of entrepreneurship, pointing to the need for community support and systemic changes to improve work-life balance and employee well-being.
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Religious Roots of Work Ethic
- Early Americans viewed work through a religious lens, seeing it as a higher calling.
- This religious framework transitioned into a secular one, shaping America's unique relationship with work.
Work and the American Dream
- The American ideal of "pulling oneself up by the bootstraps" is rooted in a rejection of European feudalism.
- This ideal emphasizes individual effort and social mobility through hard work.
The Myth of Hard Work
- The "American abracadabra" myth suggests that hard work guarantees success, blaming individuals for failure.
- This myth ignores structural factors and fosters shame, contributing to societal anger.
