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Yes, the corporate "rat race" path may have seemed foolish to some people if the world suddenly ends – and it also seems foolish to some even is no such end comes. It's not for everyone, and a more blue collar trade can be, exactly as you say, a respectable and great way to both contribute to the community and earn a living. (A very good living in many cases, too!)

I don't see anything inferior about such trades. Nor is there anything wrong with an adult proposing such a path to a young person, based on sound reasons. Say, a Jehovah's Witness elder telling a youngster, "I know you're looking at going into law, but I wonder whether you've at least considered some other options. I've been a builder for 40 years; let me tell you why I love this work..." Followed by a frank discussion of the good and bad of different careers, based on fact and experience and, sure, even plenty of opinion. What's wrong with that? Nothing!

The problem facing some religious youths is a different one, though: Adults steering them into career paths not because of practical and reality-based considerations (education cost, job market, expected pay, job satisfaction, etc.), but because of ridiculous faith-based concerns. Like fear of universities' effect on belief. Or even a calculation of what job skills will be most in demand after Biblical Doomsday!

That's just wrong. I think we're agreed on that.