Hard work has killed lots of folks Marty.

Depends how you look at that.

Many things have killed a lot of people.

Many people cannot do a day of harder work so it may kill them.

Americans have become very lazy.

proudest i've ever been i believe is talking to the head of the pipeline co my son works for locally and being told he aint like most,he works.Sr. operators are requesting him he says.

and thats saying something cause his big brother takes care of the missiles in N.Dakota.

I never finished high school. Was working full time and school got in the way. Son has bachelors degree in business administration that is paying off. He never was much of a student in high school. Just decided he wanted to do it. have a daughter that's a nurse. Demanding job and she is well paid for it. Have another daughter working for Amazon. High School only. Warehouse is new. little over a year old. She shows up every day and works hard. Already in charge of day shift receiving. good job with good pay and benefits. Was a stay at home mom till she took that job. Both her sons are in high school now.

I think people have to find their own path. learning a skill or going to college. If you got kids hopefully they listen to your real world experience when they pick a fork in the road.

"So trades are fantastic in my opinion. What trades can be recommended for females?"

Surveying, electrician, CNA, truck driver, police work, interior design, drafts person, house keeping business, house painter, real estate sales,
TSA profession, printing/graphic arts, sales of all kinds, lawn care professional, florist, landscaping, postal worker, UPS/FEDEX, barber/hair dresser, code enforcement work, equipment operator, baker, cook, medical assistant, vet tech, technical/trade assistant in education, day care profession, and probably a ton more that I have not thought of.

Some females could no doubt work in carpentry, masonry and plumbing. It would take the right crew leader and situation. I have seen females in all of those positions. But many times those jobs simply require a size four hat and a size 44 jacket. Some of the work is simply brutal.

I am and always have been big on trades. But admit that a four year degree is a door opener. As a technical school teacher (does not require a four year degree in Maine yet and hopefully never) I was offered an administration job by one director. I told him that I did not have a four year degree. He said the state did not require one of this position. The application was rejected by a school superintendent (that technically was not even involved in our school) due to no four year degree.

Having shared all of that, I know plenty of very dumb folks with out a lick of common sense with degrees coming out of their butt. I know lots of really smart folks with no high school education. Tough call. I guess if I had a kid at the age of high school graduation I would simply encourage them to pursue something that would that would make them happy, and provide an income. Life is short, it is nice to do something you like, and also nice to have some cash. I give up!!! No idea what to tell someone. LOL