An Ode to Work - What is Work?

A friend of mine commented that my blog is rather pessimistic. It probably is, and this reflects my struggles in finding a good balance between work and family (and life beyond these two aspects).

Either there's too much work, and "general life" (including own time) suffers, as family and its needs just keep going. Or there's too much "family", e.g. when kids are sick, which means that both work and general life suffer. Or there's too little work, which is great for life and family, but...

I'd like to elaborate on this "but" in this post, and why, for me, work is so important.

First, I have been "trained" to work. School, university, summer jobs, internships etc are supposed to lead to work, or not?

Second, I have been "socialized" to work for financial reasons. Through work, one becomes independent from one's parents, remains independent from one's partner, and is not (at least fully) dependent on the state.

Third, I try to believe that, through work, the world is becoming a better place. This of course to a great extent depends on what work one does, but I can think of a broad range of jobs, from the arts to development work, that qualify.

Work can, of course, be defined very broadly, especially if financial rewards are excluded. Millions of volunteers are providing invaluable services around the world, artists are creating amazing pieces of work even if they are not being purchased, etc.

Many people would argue that "parenting" is such a job. I am unsure about this. After all my schooling, training and work, can I say that I would feel comfortable calling my role as a mother work? It is hard "work" in a broad sense, but is it work in the sense I need it to be?

P.s. If anyone can find a good read on the World Bank's presidential race, place email. The FT ran an interview with Zoellick on the weekend, and has a long article today, but these are as bland as old porridge.