Abstract

The purpose of this article is to gain a clearer understanding of the meaning of work for one key stratum of society, middle managers and those most likely to become middle managers, college students. The article also discusses the traditional work ethics in order to provide a perspective on the controversy. It is generally thought that work is a central life interest for most adults and that dominant values of the Protestant ethic insure its importance. Work is seen as an integral part of one's total life and of society's health. Several theories have attempted to explain causes of work discontent. One sees employee unrest as a result of the generation gap. Another theory points to the highly mechanistic, technologically based system of organizations which are said to rob man of his human potential. A third school of thought argues that dissatisfaction stems from the fact that the U.S. business has failed to provide the kind of work environment needed to satisfy man's psychological and social needs. The first theory is probably the weakest. By acting as a safety valve for youthful energies, rebelliousness in youth may actually facilitate the transition to traditional occupational roles and values.