Dear Sir,
While Brianna Parkins (I have turned down creative opportunities because I can’t afford to be poor”, Magazine, February 22nd) does have a point that working-class people have more difficulty working for free, this is not exclusive to them. Many a wealthier family’s parents want and expect to see their children stand on their own two feet supporting themselves, although there is, potentially, greater scope to help them out. Ronan Keating was recently quoted in this regard as saying “The bank of Dad” was over for his older children.
This does not only extend to creative pursuits. Solicitors and accountants have traditionally been paid very poorly for their training contracts of several years duration, trainee barristers must work for free entirely during their devil period and it can then take many years before they establish a fully paying practice. Trainee teachers, in contrast to trainee guards, also do not get paid for their placements, many of which happen during a postgraduate qualification after completing three to four years of study. This is a particular issue currently when there is a shortage of teachers. A person mid-career or living away from home might consider making a change of career but the lack of income for two years is a great disincentive.
Yours etc,
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Niamh Byrne,
Fairview,
Dublin 3.
