re: Why are less men (on average) participating in the workforce

quote:

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The trades in Europe are more "professional" and sought after. They require more licensing and apprenticing. In the states, these professions are looked down on by white males despite the money being very good... and now we have immigrants taking proportionally more of those jobs. This is also true of shopkeeping. How many gas stations, restaurants, etc. are run by white dudes vs. Indians and other immigrants compared to 40 years ago?

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a big reason for this is our lack of a tiered society

in the UK, if you're not in that upper class you're not pushed to go to college (and in many cases, it isn't even an option with their educational tracking). so for that lower class culture, being a tradesman is one of their more prestigious employment opportunities

same with SE Asians and being in the merchant class. that opportunity is much more present here in the US and with it, their children have an opportunity to rise classes (which isn't nearly as available in India and Pakistan)