[amIblue?]

I agree with you about there being nothing wrong with getting your hands dirty, but being a roofer is dangerous (working from heights and usually in terrible heat, at least here in the south). But for any skilled trade, people can make bank, and we need those people. Trade work can’t be outsourced overseas or done remotely. I would never discourage any young person with an interest in a trade from pursuing it. My nephew is a genius, and he has been doing carpentry work while he has been in high school. He is seriously considering pursuing carpentry instead of going to college. We’ve all been kind of shocked because of how well he does academically, but if it’s going to make him happy and not saddle him with student loan debt…go for it.