Living The Dream Book 2024

Book Copies: 20

Size: 153mm x 203mm

Spine width: 8.00 mm

Sides: 80

Binding: Perfect (PUR)Orientation: portrait

Paper: 200 gsm

Silk Printing

Throughout: colour

“Living the Dream” was a phrase my Uncle Frank often used humorously and ironically. As a teenager working hard for my pocket money, Uncle Frank would assign me technical, dirty jobs. Despite the challenging work and grafting in the sun, I felt like I was living the dream. Frank managed a construction company, and I was eager to contribute. My father and uncles ran a company specialising in skilled construction services like paving, stone masonry, wrought iron, and restoration. From a young age, I learned these skills and accompanied my dad in his red van, helping with welding, sawing, and grouting. Returning home, we’d play music, and I’d feel energised, content, and at peace.

Yet, there were tough times. Cold, bleak winter days left my socks so damp they soaked through to my bones. The warm tea from my flask would provide some comfort, and I’d carry on, come rain or shine. Seeing someone less fortunate on the streets, I learned to appreciate my situation and thought I was fortunate. Frank sometimes gave me less desirable tasks, but his saying, “Living the dream,” though often spoken in jest, empathetically kept me going, and I draw strength from it.

This experience made me ponder why many men endure such physically demanding work without questioning their heavy workloads. What does “living the dream” really mean? According to Robinson Robert’s paper, ‘Construction Workers’ Reactions to Structural Alienation and Inequality,’ workers cope with their job’s economic, prestige, and power structures without seeking to change the economic system’s basic structure. They accept these conditions because the job security outweighs other freedoms, and they are willing to work overtime daily. In my experience, seeing the weekly paycheck is a dream come true; there’s no need to disrupt the system.

Early trains in London and New York are filled with workers catching one more nap before starting their day. Many endure back-to-back brutal construction shifts. According to Marx, workers are exploited when they don’t retain or control the value created by their labour. Seeing men dedicate their lives to laborious jobs without challenging the job structure and patterns is disheartening. Yet, their spirits are resilient. They tolerate abuse, work longer hours, and accept more dangerous roles for less pay, simplifying their lives to focus solely on their families. This behaviour is commendable – they are indeed ‘living their dream.’

A 2022 study by Mates In Mind on the mental health of self-employed construction workers and those in small firms revealed that intense workloads, financial stress, poor work-life balance, and COVID-19 pressures significantly increased workers’ stress and anxiety. The study suggested that nearly a third of the respondents live with elevated anxiety daily. The stigma surrounding mental illness prevents many from discussing it beyond their closest circles. Men in these physical construction roles are conditioned to ‘keep calm and carry on’; however, if you don’t push through, you will be replaced by new labour workers regardless of their stress and anxiety.

Robinson’s 2001 paper referenced Small (1905), who argued that cultures should be assessed based on their level of civilisation. Less civilised cultures have forms of domination and exploitation favouring the powerful, while more civilised cultures meet the needs of all individuals. In construction, men face challenging targets and deadlines, with daily threats of dismissal. Their work resembles an intense sports competition, punctuated by two unpaid half-hour breaks. They perform tirelessly until the break, then silently enjoy warm, homemade food in the canteen. Some rest their heads on tables, conserving energy for the demanding second half of their shift. “All wealth is the product of labour,” these men stick to disciplined routines, driven by love for others, wholly selfless, and determined to develop their families’ futures.

These young men’s traditional values play a significant role in their lives. Their families are their world; they do whatever it takes to provide for them. They find joy in their children’s laughter on phone calls during breaks. The smiles on their faces are a sight to behold. They are driven by love and a desire to support their families. They risk their health and safety to secure a better future for their loved ones. It’s profoundly emotional and admirable.

Their faith is another quiet source of strength. Their faith is a subtle undercurrent of resilience in the relentless grind of their laborious days. It guides them through the physical demands of their work. I asked many workers what makes you happy and gets you through the work day. Kadeem’s response was typical. He says, ‘Knowing that I can provide for my family back home and earn a halal income motivates me the most. Roy Greaves, a groundworker, insists, ‘It’s not about you, it’s about your family’. Finally, Pieter, a carpenter, quotes, ‘You just get on with it’ as he laughs heartily.

I’ve witnessed a spectrum of human emotion in construction workers, from scenes of pain to moments of profound vulnerability. Their stories are a testament to the human spirit’s resilience and the profound beauty of shared humanity.

‘Living The Dream’ for them means embracing survival as a victory, finding optimism in adversity, and upholding the noble duty of supporting each other, especially their families. It’s a journey marked by struggle but illuminated by hope. In recognising and honouring the dreams of construction workers, we acknowledge their perseverance and dedication, serving as a testament to the power of focused ambition.