I can see some validity in such a statement if your "job" has no positive effect on society. Some people (not me) may think anything art related falls in such a category. That is of course hypocritical if they ever watch tv, movies, read books etc....but that is besides the point. It is more a factor of how they feel, not what makes logical sense.
Teaching, collecting garbage, cooking food for people, selling property etc, all have real world applications that benefit society.
Drawing...to some...may not fit into their idea of a "real job" even if it's subconsciously. Silly, but if you look at it from their perspective....you can kinda at least understand why they may feel that way.
That is probably more true for people who have worked in "real jobs" that they didn't like or are dissatisfied with. They are on some underlying level, jealous of anyone who can support themselves (and perhaps their family) while doing a job they would consider frivolous, or worse....FUN!!
Then there is the security option. Many Art base jobs for instance (Singing, drawing/painting, performing etc) are not very secure as far as income is concerned, and would not be the best thing in the world to bank on if you have a family. It may be worth the risk to you....because it's your dream job and what you love, but to others who may care about you....it may seem like too much of a risk. Parents who want you to get married and have grandkids for them for instance, may want you to "settle down" with a secure position, instead of gambling on something that may not pay out.
I've known many people who have tried to make it in the arts. None of them have ended up homeless and on the street (although I do know some who worked at companies etc that ended up that way), but it is very rare for someone to make it big in the music industry (even with rich relatives my uncle had to give up eventually....but had his own recording studio and got rich from that at least). Some goes for actors, dancers and artists as well. Most of the Artists I have known painted etc on the side while working another job during the day.
When you see so many people having to work a "real job" while they draw etc on the side....I can see how some people might not consider it a "real job" since....over many years, they may have seen many other people drawing etc on the side while working during the day. Once you have seen 10+ people all try to make it as an artist, or musician etc...and fail, it becomes much harder to encourage someone to put all their hopes into such a career.
In the end, a job is anything you can support yourself, and perhaps your family with. If you are lucky enough to get a job that you love, keep it...fight for it, and don't let anyone talk you out of it. If you have a dream job, work towards getting it and don't stop.
That being said, having a backup plan in case things don't work out is a very good idea as well. You might not end up being able to support yourself with your art for instance, but in the process of trying, you might end up teaching art at a school and inspiring future artists, or perhaps running an art gallery etc. You may not ever end up being a famous musician or performance artist, but in the process you may end up running a music studeo, or creating jingles for TV shows etc.
If you are stuck in a job you do not find rewarding, don't give up, even if it pays a ton. There is always something better out there...but if your not trying for it, you'll never get it.
Teaching, collecting garbage, cooking food for people, selling property etc, all have real world applications that benefit society.
Drawing...to some...may not fit into their idea of a "real job" even if it's subconsciously. Silly, but if you look at it from their perspective....you can kinda at least understand why they may feel that way.
That is probably more true for people who have worked in "real jobs" that they didn't like or are dissatisfied with. They are on some underlying level, jealous of anyone who can support themselves (and perhaps their family) while doing a job they would consider frivolous, or worse....FUN!!
Then there is the security option. Many Art base jobs for instance (Singing, drawing/painting, performing etc) are not very secure as far as income is concerned, and would not be the best thing in the world to bank on if you have a family. It may be worth the risk to you....because it's your dream job and what you love, but to others who may care about you....it may seem like too much of a risk. Parents who want you to get married and have grandkids for them for instance, may want you to "settle down" with a secure position, instead of gambling on something that may not pay out.
I've known many people who have tried to make it in the arts. None of them have ended up homeless and on the street (although I do know some who worked at companies etc that ended up that way), but it is very rare for someone to make it big in the music industry (even with rich relatives my uncle had to give up eventually....but had his own recording studio and got rich from that at least). Some goes for actors, dancers and artists as well. Most of the Artists I have known painted etc on the side while working another job during the day.
When you see so many people having to work a "real job" while they draw etc on the side....I can see how some people might not consider it a "real job" since....over many years, they may have seen many other people drawing etc on the side while working during the day. Once you have seen 10+ people all try to make it as an artist, or musician etc...and fail, it becomes much harder to encourage someone to put all their hopes into such a career.
In the end, a job is anything you can support yourself, and perhaps your family with. If you are lucky enough to get a job that you love, keep it...fight for it, and don't let anyone talk you out of it. If you have a dream job, work towards getting it and don't stop.
That being said, having a backup plan in case things don't work out is a very good idea as well. You might not end up being able to support yourself with your art for instance, but in the process of trying, you might end up teaching art at a school and inspiring future artists, or perhaps running an art gallery etc. You may not ever end up being a famous musician or performance artist, but in the process you may end up running a music studeo, or creating jingles for TV shows etc.
If you are stuck in a job you do not find rewarding, don't give up, even if it pays a ton. There is always something better out there...but if your not trying for it, you'll never get it.
