There are some people who recognize this and a few of those who are actually turning down white-collar careers in order to do manual labor for a living. Perhaps this unconventional choice stems from a growing desire among workers for more authenticity and meaning in their work. They just want to be real people when they go to work, not feel like they have to put on a mask. They want to make a tangible difference, not just content themselves with attending meetings, marking time, or shuffling paper. And they want a life outside of work as well.
Many people believe the best jobs are white collar ones.
To me, manual labor has always been more satisfying and enjoyable than anything I've done in the white collar world. Social conditioning and traditional ideas of success, however, made it very difficult for me to break free from the notion that I should choose a better career than manual labor. I chose business ownership because when it comes to work, I'm very independent and an unenthusiastic teamplayer. Self-employment is nirvana for me. I absolutely love it.