The terms blue-collar worker and white-collar are used to distinguish between types of work and skill sets.
- These classifications have their roots in the early 20th century and are based primarily on the type of work performed and the skill set required.
- Blue-collar jobs are those that primarily involve manual or physical labor, while white-collar jobs are those that primarily involve intellectual labor.
- However, the modern workforce has diverse roles that do not fall clearly into these categories, blurring the boundaries between the two.
- Many modern jobs require a combination of skills, training, and education that do not fit into either category.
- In addition, the rise of technology and automation has led to the emergence of new occupations, such as the gig economy, that do not fit into the traditional blue- and white-collar categories.
The term “collar” refers to the “collar.”
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False dichotomy “Blue-collar or white-collar?” - Drawing on past dichotomies
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When the term “white-collar” was coined, what meaning was attached to the contrast with blue-collar?
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- White-collar workers had specialized knowledge and skills and were typically educated at universities and technical schools. - White-collar jobs were often associated with the [[middle class]] because of their relatively high social status and economic rewards. - Blue-collar workers typically acquired their skills through job training, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training. - Blue-collar jobs often had harsh working conditions and were considered to have lower economic rewards and social status than white-collar jobs. Therefore, blue-collar workers were often associated with the [[working class]] or [[lower middle class]].
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When there were no smart computers, they used humans for parts.
- The structure was beneficial and paid well for people as parts.
- This caused condescension toward blue-collar workers.
relevance - knowledge worker
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