It’s hard to change a class structure where we no longer view vocational work as “work for people too stupid to go to college”, and view them as equals with some sense of noblesse oblige. It’s the counterpoint of the entire American dream concept.

It also doesn’t help that the stereotype is of some guy that gets hurt on the job, is hilariously broke, and ends up addicted to painkillers at 45 and unemployable at 55. The white collar guys just don’t live a rough life to the same degree which matters in a country with crap for workers rights.