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Original poster

Boomer parents being judgemental about gig economy income

245 replies

Cupofteaandnewspaper · 18/02/2022 15:51

This is something I’ve noticed with myself but also a close friend. Our parents don’t understand our gig economy incomes and are very against it all, and only encourage us to have one job that’s a salaried thing they understand (e.g. run of the mill admin for a large company they’ve heard of).

I’m very into diversifying my income and developing a trickle portfolio through multiple platforms, all I get is negativity when I discuss this! I’m doing the safe thing of having a salary and building up on the side, I really see a lot of potential in what I’m doing and I wish my parents could see that it’s paying for various things. All I want is positive encouragement rather than being told it’s a bad idea!

OP posts:
Whitecushion · 18/02/2022 16:04

I used to work three jobs, so that my children wouldn't go without . Is that what you mean?!!!

RB68 · 18/02/2022 16:04

All gig economy is is having your irons in a few fires - nothing wrong with it if managed right and any dud gigs cut out as time wasters. I just wouldn't discuss it with them. Interestingly my parents when they were around were very skeptical of self employment and anything around security of income. Dad chose to work for the council in a senior job when he could have been roving the world project to project civil engineering mostly he had 6 kids and a wife to support. Ironically all bar one of his 6 kids including myself in my 50s are gig economy members... We do OK.

Boiledbeetle · 18/02/2022 16:05

"I’m very into diversifying my income and developing a trickle portfolio through multiple platform"

You what now?

Maybe try talking to your parents in English.

SonicBroom · 18/02/2022 16:06

I understand what you’re talking about. Firstly i hope your work is rewarding, it sounds like you are passionate about it and I would rather my child loved their work than was in a deadbeat salaried job they hated.

However, you sound a little naive about the differences between the two. It’s not just about being opinionated it’s about the security and the benefits that your job affords you. I don’t want to be too presumptuous, but for example does your work allow you paid holiday, paid sick pay, and meaningful pension contributions? Or if it doesn’t, does it pay enough of a premium to compensate for that?

If it doesn’t then your parents have a valid point and it would be worthwhile thinking about how you can transition to a role which offers better long term security.

Miraloma · 18/02/2022 16:06

100% only fans.

EmpressCixi · 18/02/2022 16:07

YANBU presuming your side hustle isn’t illegal or immoral to want encouragement and support.

YABU to “All I want is positive encouragement rather than being told it’s a bad idea!”

Some people provide support by pointing out downsides and pitfalls for you to be aware of and then prepared for. This should be appreciated as it is actually more useful and contributes to your success unlike a thousand “go girl, you rock” type yes-saying.

SonicBroom · 18/02/2022 16:07

also - are you self-employed on these contracts??? Rather than eg zero-hours which are a big part of the gig economy?

BestKnitterInScotland · 18/02/2022 16:08

There is a lot more to the gig economy than Only Fans and MLM. Hmm

I get where you are coming from, OP. My parents are in their 70s and it's not so much judgement, as just not getting it.

I had a "proper job" before i had my first child, he's 19 now. Since he was a toddler i have been working for myself doing all sorts of things - started off mystery shopping, answering questions for the AQA text service, then website content writing, SEO, social media stuff, film extra. Lots of things. Have always pursued a "don't put all your eggs in one basket" policy so usually have a few things on the go at the same time.

My parents don't understand the internet (one has dementia, the other is simply not interested and will not use it). They don't understand what I do, don't know what a blog or SEO is. Won't say I'm a "writer" as that means books or newspapers. They have stopped asking me about work and I've stopped telling them because they just glaze over.

They are much more comfortable with my sister's work - she works part time as reception in a leisure centre which is something they completely understand.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 18/02/2022 16:08

I though gig economy was zero hour contracts, no protections and general exploitation of workers.

I would guess why that is why your parents are a bit unhappy.

It’s not freelancing, or ‘building up platforms’

Bug what do l know?

Lesperance · 18/02/2022 16:10

I don't understand, you must be 40+ to have parents who would be considered the baby boom generation, surely? So you have been in work for 15 years or more? This doesn't make sense. I don't think you know what the baby boom was. It's post war. Post war babies have kids in their 40s now.

Eightiesfan · 18/02/2022 16:11

My 15-year-old DS2 refers to his dad (mid-40s) as a Boomer! I think he’s implying that his dad was born post WWII.

VladmirsPoutine · 18/02/2022 16:11

@Boiledbeetle

"I’m very into diversifying my income and developing a trickle portfolio through multiple platform"

You what now?

Maybe try talking to your parents in English.

A very tiring way of saying she might be a freelance copy writer during the day for different companies and in the evenings she drives for Uber and on weekends sometimes takes people's dogs to the park for a fee.
EmmaH2022 · 18/02/2022 16:12

@Lesperance

I don't understand, you must be 40+ to have parents who would be considered the baby boom generation, surely? So you have been in work for 15 years or more? This doesn't make sense. I don't think you know what the baby boom was. It's post war. Post war babies have kids in their 40s now.
Why can't OP be 40+?
NotImpossible · 18/02/2022 16:14

I probably do something similar - not had a salary for years. But if somebody asks me about it I use plain English and explain in a way anyone can understand.
Using pretentious language that you know your audience won't understand doesn't make you 'mysterious' - it just makes you sound silly.

christinarossetti19 · 18/02/2022 16:15

I don't think it really matters what your parents think, if you're doing what you believe is right for you.

But what exactly does 'developing a trickle portfolio through multiple platforms' means in terms of what you actually do?

BestKnitterInScotland · 18/02/2022 16:17

@Lesperance

I don't understand, you must be 40+ to have parents who would be considered the baby boom generation, surely? So you have been in work for 15 years or more? This doesn't make sense. I don't think you know what the baby boom was. It's post war. Post war babies have kids in their 40s now.
I am shortly to be 50. I have been working in the "gig economy" for well over 15 years, closer to 20.
HeadToToesNo · 18/02/2022 16:20

From the language in your OP I assume you are doing MLM crap, so while I'm a card carrying millennial, I agree with your Boomer parents on that one.

SamphiretheStickerist · 18/02/2022 16:20

Mate. My almost 80 year old parents are late Boomers and they'd just laugh at you and ask if your were playing with Bitcoin or online gambling.

I'm self employed, have a main job and a fun one and then a charity based one. They count as multiplatform doodahs don't they?

Ponoka7 · 18/02/2022 16:21

@Lesperance, the boomer year's end in 1964, so you could be a boomer and have children in their 20's.

My youngest DD was in a job that she'd had enough in. My eldest DD, who is mid 30's couldn't get her head around that my youngest could earn more on agency etc. She's now in a job she likes, which I think was helped get through the variation on her CV. Great when you are in your 20's and depending on what you do, you can still get a mortgage, because the lenders know what industries always need workers. It might not be as practical in more expensive areas, or as you get older and of course not everyone wants a mortgage.

NoSquirrels · 18/02/2022 16:21

Why do you need their validation and encouragement if you believe it’s the right thing and you’ve got a strategy?

Either you value their opinion or you don’t. It’s fine to not value their opinion, btw, but you can’t force them to approve if they genuinely don’t!

Earning a decent salary early on before you have kids with a brilliant pension scheme is not terrible advice.

Lesperance · 18/02/2022 16:22

@EmmaH2022 They could totally be 40+. Let's say they went to uni, so started work around 22/23.
After 20 years of working and supporting themselves, why would the parent still be talking about this as an issue? So that's why I think that the OP doesn't know what the baby boom was.
That said, as they haven't come back, I guess we'll never know.

saraclara · 18/02/2022 16:22

Some people provide support by pointing out downsides and pitfalls for you to be aware of and then prepared for. This should be appreciated as it is actually more useful and contributes to your success unlike a thousand “go girl, you rock” type yes-saying.

Exactly. My dad used to do this, and yes, to be honest I thought he was always looking for problems. But his advice has been hugely valuable, and I would have hit all sorts of problems on the way without it. I certainly wouldn't be as secure as a newly retired person, as I am now. I'm really grateful to him.

Now I have adult kids I tend to do the same. I really don't want them to trip up on obstacles that they don't know exist, or that they should look out for. I try to share those things in a positive and upbeat way, rather than running the risk of putting them down, but I really don't want things to go wrong for them.

NotMyGenderGoblin · 18/02/2022 16:22

@Cupofteaandnewspaper

This is something I’ve noticed with myself but also a close friend. Our parents don’t understand our gig economy incomes and are very against it all, and only encourage us to have one job that’s a salaried thing they understand (e.g. run of the mill admin for a large company they’ve heard of).

I’m very into diversifying my income and developing a trickle portfolio through multiple platforms, all I get is negativity when I discuss this! I’m doing the safe thing of having a salary and building up on the side, I really see a lot of potential in what I’m doing and I wish my parents could see that it’s paying for various things. All I want is positive encouragement rather than being told it’s a bad idea!

Your parents are not unreasonable to not understand "developing a trickle portfolio through multiple platforms". They're not unreasonable if they don't want you doing deliveroo or onlyfans or MLM or scams. They're not unreasonable for wanting you to get / have a good job at a good, secure company. They're not unreasonable for worrying about risks and for not seeing potential in what you are doing.

They are unreasonable if they don't understand that nowadays young people need two full time incomes and two gig economy top ups to run a one bed micro-flat. They are unreasonable if they don't understand the benefits of buying income-producing assets or developing passive income. They are unreasonable if they are negative constantly and think that if they don't understand then it's you that must be wrong.

Swear · 18/02/2022 16:23

If you're young, I think it's sensible to get a more traditional job that gives you sick pay, paid holiday and pension and the possibility of moving up the career ladder and earning a higher salary. It will help you to get a mortgage too. But it's great to have a gig or 2 on the side, if you have the time. Especially if those gigs can be expanded to keep you going if you lose your main job for some reason and find it difficult to get another one.

patritus · 18/02/2022 16:23

Boomers was the post war baby boom which went on right through to the 50s and early 1960s.
So OP could be in her 20s with parents in late 50s