Umm Aaron - I might be the uneducated dumba$$ but this is exactly what the OP was saying as if it didnt shock them they wouldnt have run on over here to whinge about it and hence my problem with this. Just because your a tradey does not mean you cant earn good money and if money is all you strive for then perhaps you should tell your children to "underachieve" if that is all that is important to you???
I think most peope here realise the true value of the $ and know that there is a lot more to it than just money.
OP is being condescending in the insinuation that that is clearly way to much money to be earning for a tradie and questioning why they should push their kids academically because obviously they could always become tradies. SHOCK
Yeah real funny.
If life was just about money I wouldnt live where I live or do what i do or spend money on experiences and travels.
I just cannot stand that insinuation that your not entitled to earn a decent living without a degree.
If someone does a job well be they dr, lawyer, tradey, hairdresser, what they choose to charge is up to them. I value good people and a job well done and and i personally loathe people quibling about the price of people "services" Whatever their area of expertise is, chances are they have spent a fair bit of time building up their knowledge and if they are as good as they say they are then who am i to question their price. Whether i choose to use them is my choice.
Work hard = earn hard in my books = play hard!
And however you manage to do that is fine by me.