Radical change of attitude

[Nika]

I have a friend who for the last 10 years always talked about how the only way to go is to work for yourself and how working for somebody else can never be as good.

Now he got married and they want to have a child. And suddenly what he wants most is a government job. That's like 180 degrees turn.

[bjl584]

I guess as a single guy with no kids it was easier for him to take on the risks of running his own business. But now, with a family, he is thinking more about the security of a stable job and income.

[disneysteve]

Sure. Government job brings good benefits, regular hours, etc. All of the things working for yourself doesn't.

[ua_guy]

I think the surprising piece is the move from being a small business owner to becoming an employee within a stable organization.

Government jobs are great because there's stability (unless your program gets cut!) and the income is predictable. But that can be said about a lot of corporate jobs either in the public sector or private sector.

[Nika]

Oh, I understand the benefits, no need to convince me.
I'm just saying that is as surprising as seeing a preacher suddenly turn atheist.

[lhkorn99]

The economic downturn unfortunately has hurt many small business owners - government jobs have many benefits - guess you can't blame the guy to want a stable job with a family coming..seems responsible.

[YLTL_Dan]

I'm one of those guys who loves the idea of going out on my own to start a business. However, I've been in corporate America for 9 years and have done quite well. We're going to travel for 9 months while I'm on unpaid leave and explore the entrepreneurial route while we do it. I'll let you know in 9 months if I turn corporate atheist

[frank_1982]

I have a friend who for the last 10 years always talked about how the only way to go is to work for yourself and how working for somebody else can never be as good.

Now he got married and they want to have a child. And suddenly what he wants most is a government job. That's like 180 degrees turn.

I smell pressure from the spouse here. I think everyone's on the same page that government jobs bring stability, and some have great benefits (some say not enough, but it's all relative).

Unfortunately sacrifices have to be made, unless the self-employment is showing signs of launching off and making enough money to support the family.

[Harlem]

Wife and family are great responsibility of a man. When a single person gets married, situation binds him to take the decision that will be perfect for his family.

[DinoSaur]

Sounds logical.

It's OK to have an ideal that working for yourself if the best way to go, and it is. But as you age risk becomes more prominent, and you have to take opportunities that involve less of it.

For his personal mindset, it'll be nice to know he recognises the decisions he's making, so he's in control of his life. Otherwise life is controlling him, which isn't ideal, especially for an idealist.

[swapnil]

I completely agree with all you guys, small businesses have suffered greatly due to the allowance of FDI in the small scale sector which led to close down of some powerloom and handloom factories and thus, turning towards the safest job with security on the planet i.e, Government jobs is quite logical.