Why do we ask children, "What do you want to be when you grow up?", and...

[otherlander]

expect them to answer by telling us what kind of job they want? As if the means by which we make money is the most important thing in the world? They know they'll have to do something to earn enough money to keep themselves fed and sheltered. But is that really the most important thing for everyone? What if they decide to get some kind of job, but the important thing is that they want to live near a park and have three dogs? Or what if the important thing is that they want to get married and have two children? What if the important thing is that they want to go jogging and practice tai chi every morning? What if they want to adopt a child? Or have a huge collection of old jazz albums? Or grow strawberries?

Of course all of these people who want these things are going to need jobs. But does that have to be the aspect of their lives by which they are labeled? Why does our society teach its children to define themselves by the means by which they obtain money?

Rant off.:rant:

[Nikia]

1. When I first started answering that question, I didn't even think about money

I wanted to be an architect when I was 5 because I thought that it would be cool to design houses. I don't think that it was until I reached high school that I started to think a little bit about a career as a means to earn money.

[pokerfan]

2. I don't think many children think about money

when asked that question. I didn't even have a grasp on salaries until we started researching it high school. It just assumed that one could do anything and make a living. I was gifted at science, math and problem solving so I naturally gravitated towards engineering after a brief flirtation with architecture.

I've told this story before, but when I once posed this question to my nephew, he replied that he wanted to be a garbageman because then he would only have to work one day a week!

[wildhorses]

3. i don't ask it. i hated being asked it as a child. n/t

:hi:

[Rising Phoenix]

4. and on that point...

why is it almost always the first thing we ask another adult when we meet them. Labeling doesn't stop at puberty....many people define themselves by the job they do...that can't be a good thing. Shouldn't we define ourselves by what makes us happy, and not rich?

[Oeditpus Rex]

5. I think that's about more than income

Many people seem to evaluate character by occupation. Most professions have some sort of stigma attached to them, and it would often seem that what one does is what one is.

I really hate that.

[otherlander]

11. Exactly!

It's crazy! :crazy:

[riderinthestorm]

6. I seldom do it, but I've found it a fun way to suss out what's important to them at the moment

For example, my oldest daughter at 5 wanted to be an entomologist (she loved bugs and could pronounce "entomologist" with ease, the little smartie). That evolved into a pet shop owner/entomologist at 7 years old, which morphed into a pet shop owner/entomologist/professional bike rider at 9 years old. Cracked me up.

I never once took it seriously - it was just a fun way to get a grip on their priorities and frankly at this stage of her "brilliant career" (snark), we all laugh at her evolution in her career desires.

I can't believe any child really takes that question seriously do they? :hide: I mean, dayum, there's no way these kids know what the hell they want to be when they grow up. The question is a lark.

I always end the discussion with making the kids promise at least one thing about their career: that they will promise me that they will grow up and do stuff that makes THEM happy, not feel forced to live a life that they have been pressured into by anyone else.

[BarenakedLady]

7. My oldest wants to ride horses

My middle wants to own an ice cream shop or a movie store (because he likes to make people happy, he says)
My youngest wants to be a veterinarian

It has nothing to do with money and everything to do with what they enjoy.

:shrug:

[bertha katzenengel]

8. Why do we ask them? It's simple: we're looking for ideas.

Paula Poundstone rocks. (that's her joke)

[mzteris]

9. I never asked my kids that

It implies that they AREN'T ANYTHING NOW. And they are. They're a person. They are who they are.

The correct question is "what do you want to do?" or "what kind of job do you want to have?" when you grow up.

[av8rdave]

10. I've never asked that question of a child with money in mind

The point is to get them to think of all the great possibilities out there, and to open their minds to them. And judging by most childrens' answers, they aren't thinking of money either.

[liontamer]

12. so you know what their interests are

Some people love their jobs, because they work in a field they wanted.

I cycled through many imaginary jobs, and now I have a job that I said I wanted when I was about 8. My job is my passion. It's essentially the only hobby I was into for more than a couple of years. And trust me I did not choose it for money :)

the question isn't "what are you willing to do as an adult in order to pay bills", but "what do you want to be" Any strong interest can be a job

Wanting to live by a park could translate into being a park ranger. Alternatively, someone can want to be a homemaker, jazz historian or strawberry farmer.

[crim son]

13. I think kids dream about what they'll do whether or not they

think about money. I always wanted to do one thing (and didn't do it) and money was never a consideration; all I thought about was what greatly appealed to me. The thought that I'd do something was natural. What is the alternative? Watching t.v. all day?