Not sure. In the past, of course, many/most people learned some trade, and their fathers could apprentice them into his trade. Now very often the son will want to enter some other field than what the father does. So, for instance, my son might want to go to medical school. I can't do very much to directly train him. Even if I help him to some extent, he still has to go get a degree and pass the exams. Even if I were a Dr., while I could share my experience, he still would have to go through school.
I am (basically) a computer programmer. So far neither of my sons wants to do computer programming for a living (don't blame them). So, if they go into a different field, there's little I can do to directly help them learn their chosen trade. It's not as if I am a carpenter and can teach my sons carpentry. If they WANTED to get into computer programming, in that case I would certainly show them the ropes and offer guidance. And I will help them figure out how to choose a field and how to navigate their way through the educational system. Obviously, some other skills ... like basic maintenance and repair skills (eletrical, mechanical, automotive, etc.) I can teach them ... but you were talking about teaching them the skills to make a living.
Thanks for the excellent lead in. When I open threads, these are the kinds of responses that I hope for. They tell me the caliber of the audience.
So, for instance, my son might want to go to medical school. I can't do very much to directly train him.
I can respond to your entire posting based on this quote above:
Let us say you have 5 boys and you are a computer programmer and none of them are interested in what you do (which is very unusual, there would always be one or more interested). Your duty is to find out what they are good at, what they excel at. This is done by throwing at them different toys, games, chores, and seeing what they go for
and providing them the materials and support . One child might like to mow the lawn and take care of the grounds. One boy might like cooking, one child might like repairing electrical apparatus, one might be good at mechanical repairs around the house and building things. These activities are all things that have to be done by you around the house, so they will see you doing them. Use them to help you. Also, there are neighbors and parishioners at your church who do things at home that may interest your children, like say if the neighbor does automobile body work as a hobby. You can let your boy learn from them.
I know men that started
mowing lawns when they were 14: and today own companies worth $20+ million, or got a degree in agricultural engineering and are in the lumber business raising forests in Brazil to sell in the USA, or who own lawnmower manufacturing companies.
I know men who started as boys
repairing stuff around the house and ended up as civil engineers or as contractors making high rises.
I know a man who learned
body work as a child from the neighbor, and today has a huge body shop business employee all of children and relatives.
I could give a million examples, my point in detailing is to show that blue collar work can turn into an engineering degree, and millions of dollars not just ending up mowing lawns for $35 a pop all your life.