What does "hard working" or "works hard" mean to you

In the vocabulary of the right wing press only Tory voters could ever be described as "hard working families"

That is all it means. It is a dog whistle to work up hatred of all the lazy bastards who are living off benefits, watching their huge flat screen tvs all day while the hard working Tory voters are going to work. It is an utter disgrace. If we could send these scoungers to Rwanda along with the foreigners coming here on boats, that would be a good thing. Britain for the hardworking Brits - blah blah blah

It's one of those concepts that has to be subjective, as all any of us can do is compare one of our own experiences with another, as we've never lived anyone else's life.

I know, for instance, the difference between working full time whilst studying and simultaneously homemaking and parenting two young children while my husband worked shifts, and us both being retired, when all I am doing is the homemaking thing, and there is no comparison. Juggling being a parent, a career, a wife and a homemaker was bloody hard work, and what I do now isn't - to me.

I don't, however, know what it's like to do any of that with no husband or partner, or one who doesn't pull their weight, or to have a disabled child, to to do it all while I'm ill and so on.

Also, some people find some things more difficult than others, so define 'hard work' in ways that I wouldn't, and vice versa. I don't think there is a sensible definition that people are ever going to agree on. I would find looking after an allotment really hard work, but my friend sees it as recreation, for instance.

It shouldn't be a competition anyway.

And obviously lounging in front of that big TV missA.

I agree with Grandmabatty.

MissAdvenure
Don’t forget all the booze, fags, and scratch cards

I wouldn't know, because I've only been a single parent, spending everyone else's hard earned money on big TVs, false nails, and all the other essentials.

CrazyH
I think being a stay at home mum, is probably the hardest job of all.

Perhaps it could be seen as - doing ones best - despite or because of ones own circumstances.

Although I was in paid employment for only 5 years of my adult life, I feel I worked very hard, looking after husband (was his book keeper as well) and 3 children. This fact was recognised by our Divorce Judge, who thankfully granted me a reasonable settlement which included a monthly alimony payment.
The 'stay at home' mums are not just staying at home - they work very hard.

I used to think doing the job you had, whether it was paid employment or keeping your house clean and tidy and the family fed, meant you were hard-working.
The latter was certainly true when the children were young.
Now it seems it means whatever is the intention of the person using it.
Hard work to me means something that takes a lot of effort for not much thanks-whether it’s picking fruit, teaching, meeting your sales target or picking up litter.

My late mother used to say "a hard-working woman" as a compliment to her. She herself was no slouch.

One phrase that really gets up my nose is "hard working families" as if hard working single people did not exist.

It is single tax payers who subsidise families who are far more costly and wasteful of resources than the average single consumer.

Interesting how many different interpretations there are

For me, "working hard" implies literally hard work, i.e. something physical.

I am office (well, currently still home) based, and I do my job well. I often work through at least part of my lunch break, and beyond my finish time if the work needs it.

But I don't consider myself "hard working". Conscientious and diligent, yes. But not "hard" working.

Totally agree with it having become a cliched phrase by politicians though.

Galaxy
I haven't been to Lakeland for ages

Yes lots of us arent arses Jane and can see even though you dont blow your own trumpet what you do .
My contribution to the perfect family this Easter was standing in the shops watching dh and eldest son bickering and yelling will you please stop shouting in Lakeland. The very well trained shop assistant said oh it livens up a Saturday afternoon do carry on.
Its like the waltons here.

I was definitely working hard when I worked in care of the elderly.
Racing from one person to another, getting clients up & showered & dressed , or off to bed at the other end of the day, all while trying to give the impression of being relaxed and not rushing the clients.

Oh Sara1954

JaneJudge
I think you misjudge people.
I look after my three year old perfectly normal granddaughter once a week for the whole day, and I always say it’s a hundred times easier to go to work.
So not for one minute would I underestimate how hard things have been for you.
I also have a grandchild with a disability, and I know that my daughter changed from the day he was born, life was never the same for them, and I know the worry will never end.

grumppa

Whatever it means, it has been turned into a cliché by politicians applying it indiscriminately to everyone they wish to portray as adversely affected by any political measure to which they are opposed.

spot on.
The hardest thing I have ever done was care for my own child with a disability. For that I was most probably put into the category of benefit scrounger with a free car by the DM

Oldnproud

grumppa

Whatever it means, it has been turned into a cliché by politicians applying it indiscriminately to everyone they wish to portray as adversely affected by any political measure to which they are opposed.

Exactly.

By coupling the words 'hard working' with 'families', politicians have devalued its meaning, turning it into a trite, judgemental, patronising and divisive cliché.

It's still not easy to define 'hard working', though, is it?

For example, I don't think it's as simple as saying that anyone who 'works' long hours necessarily works hard. It depends too on what they do within those hours, both in terms of physical and/or mental effort.

I think it's more than that. It has become a moral judgement used to separate the 'deserving' from the 'undeserving' and to imply that someone only has 'real' value if they work hard.

It's an unpleasant phrase.

Keep a roof

Well I assumed I knew what it meant, but thinking about it I’m not so sure.
I go to work every day, I put in the hours, mostly work through lunch, but it is our own business, so if I say I’m popping out for an hour, or I’ve got someone coming so I’ll be an hour late, I’ve got no one to answer to.
All my children have a good work ethic, I’ve always said of them, they’ve all got their faults, but none of them are afraid of hard work, but again they have a certain flexibility, if a grandchild is ill somebody just stays home.
I think hardworking means going to work, maybe at more than one job, just to help a food over your head.
I think it also to me, implies a certain degree of physical labour.

grumppa

Whatever it means, it has been turned into a cliché by politicians applying it indiscriminately to everyone they wish to portray as adversely affected by any political measure to which they are opposed.

Exactly.

By coupling the words 'hard working' with 'families', politicians have devalued its meaning, turning it into a trite, judgemental, patronising and divisive cliché.

It's still not easy to define 'hard working', though, is it?

For example, I don't think it's as simple as saying that anyone who 'works' long hours necessarily works hard. It depends too on what they do within those hours, both in terms of physical and/or mental effort.

grumppa

Whatever it means, it has been turned into a cliché by politicians applying it indiscriminately to everyone they wish to portray as adversely affected by any political measure to which they are opposed.

This...I am sick of it