Being raised a Presbyterian, the Protestant work ethic was not something that I read about. it was something I lived. Growing up on a farm, I started working at an early age. Along with the rest of my siblings, I was expected to contribute, work hard, be responsible, and do a good job.

I was also rewarded for my efforts. Extra work off the farm was encouraged and I had my own bank account when I was in elementary school. I bought my own clothes when I was in junior high school. Along with daily farm chores, I was expected to clean my room, do my own laundry, and make my own breakfast and lunch. Like everyone in my family, I was raised to be responsible and independent. Work was the key to providing both of these goals.

I was taught by my parents that all work was valuable. The idea that a certain job or type of work was “beneath” you was not only an alien concept, but it was also deeply offensive as it devalued certain types of work and the people who do this work. All work has an inherent value and dignity. Every job is important. If something must be done, it is worthwhile doing. Everyone could contribute in some form or another and all efforts are to be valued.

No matter what type of work you did or job you had, it was important to do it well and to take pride in doing a job well done. This message was delivered day in and day out. Anytime I slacked off, complained, or seemed bored my parents would remind me how lucky I was to be able to work and contribute as some did not have this ability or opportunity. At the time I thought they were just trying to guilt me into working harder, but now I can see that they were right.

The Value of Work

Too often we think of work as something which is to be endured as a necessary evil. However, this view is fundamentally mistaken. Work is incredibly valuable. It is also who we are. If we somehow magically lived in a world without employment, we would create a world where we work at our hobbies and projects. We would be endlessly busy being busy.

Work has tremendous instrumental value. It provides security, comfort, prosperity, opportunities, and pride. It provides independence and promotes autonomy and dignity. It is also good for society as it contributes to the collective good by increasing the wealth and prosperity of all.

Work also promotes the moral values of responsibility, conscientiousness, perseverance, proficiency, and excellence. Many forms of work promote creativity and ingenuity. Work can also provide a profound sense of meaning, pride, and identity.

Robbing the Disadvantaged

This may sound Victorian, but I firmly believe that everyone should have a job. Everyone should work at something. This does not mean that everyone should have paid employment or be forced to work, but instead that everyone who is able to contribute should do so. It could be small things such as helping wash the dishes or take out the garbage. It can be volunteering to help others. It could be not making a mess and cleaning up after your dog or yourself.

For those who cannot work, it could be trying ones best at whatever one can do and taking responsibility for one’s actions. It could be taking your medication, or following your diet, or mobilizing and exercising. It could be participating in rehab. It could be trying to toilet yourself on your own. It could be not giving your caregivers a hard time or not feeling sorry for yourself. It depends on what your limitations are, but I think that most people can do something which can benefit themselves and/or others to a certain degree.

Those of us in healthcare too often take for granted how lucky we are to be able to work and to help others. It is an incredibly rewarding experience to help those in need and to help alleviate pain and suffering. Helping others and contributing to society should give us all a great sense of pride and purpose.

Yet when we support a sense of helplessness among the disadvantaged, we are robbing them of this important sense of pride and purpose. That is why we need to support a sense of independence and accomplishment among our patients, and all those who might be disadvantaged.

 Everyone needs tasks, projects, and things to do. We all need a list of tasks to cross out so that we have a sense of accomplishment. Yes, “all work and no play make Jack a dull boy”. We need to take breaks, vacations, have downtime and not be obsessive workaholics. Yet a life of pure leisure would soon become painfully boring. We would wind up working hard to have fun and fill our hours. We would have to work at not working, which isn’t an easy task.

David Campbell, Ethicist