Work is central to the lives of all generations in all families. Having a job is crucial for self-esteem across all generations. Yet there are important differences between older and younger family members. For the oldest generation, being in work is a matter of pride and a symbol of independence as opposed to being unemployed. People remain in some sort of employment well beyond normal retirement age. This generation can remember the stories of their parents who were young and without work in the 1930s, in the days before ‘the social’ (social security) came into existence to provide a safety-net against poverty. Indeed, the oldest generation laughs at interpretations of ‘poverty’ since ‘the social’ came into being and consider themselves in no way now to be poor. All the men except David have had manual jobs; working in the docks, the building or decorating trade or Tate and Lyles’s. The women have previously been cleaners and machinists and are now engaged in child-minding and being a school dinner assistant. Neither the oldest nor the middle generation have had the opportunity to attend University, but those in their 40s and 50s have moved into secure work with local Councils, the police force or other administrative work. Only the youngest generation has benefitted from a real choice of work through being able to study. Brian and Jason went to University and have moved into the world of international development and the media. Two further siblings in their families, Amy and Kim, are in the world of teaching and have moved away from the area. Nicky works in administration in the City and Jenny works in retail. Only Christopher still has a manual job. And so there has been a clear movement from manual to non-manual work.
The change in jobs over the three generations is reflected in the education and skills of family members. The oldest generation has a wide range of practical and manual skills, ranging from carpentry and building to model and toy-making, having collections, decorating, as well as being able to repair almost everything, symbolised for men in the importance of the shed in their lives. These skills have not been handed down. The women of the middle generation are largely too busy to have hobbies; the youngest generation are skilled computer users, go to the gym or gain enjoyment from their cars or travelling. Repairing things is no longer necessary; sheds either belong to their fathers or will no longer exist once they move into rented homes or the apartments they might eventually afford.
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