Jobs for Grateful People

In “30 little turtles,” Thomas Friedman makes a very compelling argument that outsourcing low-wage, low-prestige jobs to poorer countries makes the world a more prosperous and safer world for young people who accept and appreciate these jobs while also improving their economic status and that their families in their own country (Friedman, 2008, p. 177).  One example is the call centers in India where this is considered to be a very appealing employment opportunity for young enthusiastic Indians.

The purpose of Friedman’s essay is to demonstrate that while jobs at call centers are considered to be low prestige jobs in countries like Canada and the United States, they are highly regarded in poorer countries like India. Friedman gives some powerful examples to back up his position. He demonstrates that these jobs provide life changing opportunities for many young people and in some cases address far reaching social issues.  One of the best examples provided is that “a majority of these call center workers are young women, who not only have been liberated by earning a decent local wage (and therefore have more choice in whom they marry), but are using the job to get M.B.A’s and other degrees on the side” (p. 177). For the young people who do have college degrees, there are no opportunities to obtain employment in their profession or to make the type of salary they do working at the call centers. As many of these young people still live at home, their wages provide support for their entire family and make a better life for many people under their care (p. 176).

These out-sourced jobs provide another valuable benefit to younger people in poorer nations.  These young people gain self-confidence and self-worth working at jobs where they feel valued and are solving problems even on an international scale. Friedman writes about an Indian engineer who worked for an American Software Company and expressed the pride he felt helping Americans navigate through their software (p. 176).  It also provides hope for these young people; hope that life can be better for them. When asked by Friedman who his role model was, one young person said it was Bill Gates and he dreamed of “starting his own business and making it big” (p. 177). Friedman also makes a powerful comparison to young people in countries where there is “no hope, no jobs and no dignity” (p. l77). These young people are waiting for death as they contemplate their future as “suicide bombers in waiting” (p. l77)

Friedman presents one side of the issue that outsourcing jobs to other poorer countries has economic and geopolitics value. Friedman suggests that it is inevitable that low end jobs like the ones offered at call centers are given to people overseas.  These jobs provide a better life for many young people in poor countries where opportunity for good jobs and high wages are very limited.  By providing a valuable service to the world, young people develop a sense of pride and hope which in turn benefits the whole nation.

What other opportunities could America offer countries like India in order to assist them economically?