Paul L. Caron
Dean





Monday, December 31, 2007

Why Are Law Professors So Unhappy? -- Part Three

My post last Friday on Why Are Law Professors So Unhappy? -- Part Two has attracted a lot of commentary in the law prof blogosphere:

Much of the commentary argues that law professors have a great job and that most are happy with their jobs.  I agree with both points -- my modest question is that, given how great this job is, why are some law professors so unhappy?

One possibility is that some may expect too much out of their jobs.  Just as we can make idols out of our spouses, children, friends, fitness, houses, investment and retirement accounts, etc., pinning our happiness on our jobs is doomed to fail.  My men's group recently read this great book on the proper place of work in our lives.

Another possibility is that this commenter is right:

Law professors blogging about their misery. Even your mother thinks you are a whiny little baby. Face it. Nobody cares. Suck it up. Life is tough. Wear a cup, and STFU.

And check out Andy Grewal's tax perspective.

Update:

https://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2007/12/why-are-law-p-1.html

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Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Why Are Law Professors So Unhappy? -- Part Three:

» Carons wrap-up on why professors are sounhappy from Voir Dire
Is available on TaxProf blog here. As you may have seen his second post on this question generated a good amount of blog buzz.  Below are the blog links that discussed the issue: Stephen Bainbridge (UCLA), Are Law Professors Unhappy? And, If So, Why... [Read More]

Tracked on Dec 31, 2007 7:09:14 AM

» Carons wrap-up on why professors are sounhappy from Voir Dire
Is available on TaxProf blog here. As you may have seen his second post on this question generated a good amount of blog buzz. Below are the blog links that discussed the issue: Stephen Bainbridge (UCLA), Are Law Professors Unhappy? And, If So, Why?... [Read More]

Tracked on Dec 31, 2007 8:16:52 AM

» Law Professor Misery Roundup: from The Volokh Conspiracy
Paul Caron of Taxprofblog has a roundup of the extensive commentary(including two of my own posts) stimulated by [Read More]

Tracked on Dec 31, 2007 9:30:21 AM

Comments

In any trade or profession, there are those who complain. Being a law prof sounds kinda cool at first blush. But you might have to grade puerile essays by 1Ls with liberal arts degrees who chose law school because they have no better idea how to earn a living. Even worse, you might have to write and publish articles in law reviews. Ugh. I'll stick with being a litigator, thank you.

Posted by: Jake | Dec 31, 2007 5:41:01 PM

Perhaps because you do nothing and contribute nothing to society all the while fleecing your students?

Posted by: xoxo dood | Dec 31, 2007 10:04:58 AM