WORK TO LIVE OR LIVE TO WORK?

A Reflection by Victor Lana

Many years ago in my undergraduate sociology class the professor (his name now escapes me) asked the class, "Would you prefer to work to live or live to work?" As I recall now, this led to a vibrant discussion about priorities, what we saw ourselves doing in the future, and how well we wanted to live the life that we envisioned. "Live to work" obviously connotes that one goes happily off to the office each day, while "work to live" implies something more onerous.

I often think about that discussion as the years have passed, and I have even used that question rather frequently as a writing assignment in my freshman composition classes. During the prewriting phase, students usually spoke freely concerning their opinions in brainstorming sessions. Many argued vehemently with those on the opposite side, but by the time they got to the actual writing, most students seemed rather adamant that no job or boss was going to ruin their lives.

In the grand scheme of things for many Americans, "work" seems to take precedent over having a "life." The two terms are largely diametric concepts these days, especially after 9/11 when many people lost jobs. Now it seems just having a job to go to is fortunate; thus, no matter what the conditions, the status of being employed is much more desirable than its alternative.

I believe that most Americans work harder than they might want or need to. If one uses public transport as a means of getting to work (as I have done here in New York City), it is an opportunity to observe people in what are perhaps some of the worst moments of their workday: the daily commute. Surely, after the terrorist attacks in London on July 7, 2005, travel on rail or bus has changed for New Yorkers. People have always had fears since 9/11, but now there is an added burden. The heft of this heightened concern etched on their faces, New Yorkers move along on their way to work with remarkable resiliency, but many are afflicted by something more than their mode of travel, indicating the mounting rigors and stress in the American workplace.

Since 9/11 many companies have been trying to cut corners in order to balance the budget. I know a number of cases where workers have been told that they need to do more to retain their jobs. Do more usually implies taking additional responsibilities. In one particular case, the person was told, "Ms. X is retiring and Mr. Y is leaving for another job, so we expect you to take on their work load." This was done with no increase in status or salary, and the person kept quiet, took on the additional work, and had to stay later on many days to finish his tasks. Of course, he is miserable because of it.