Although I'm only 19, my parents are certainly blue collar and I understand what it's like to just get by. I personally grew up on an island off the coast of Maine, USA. We lived ina log cabin in the middle of the wood, off the grid, and were all organic hippies. What I will be in the future is.. unpredictable. 
It is rather inaccurate to assume that blue collar works earn less then white collar workers. I as a professional and certified engineer earn somewhere between 50%-75% of what the electricians I manage earn. The pain of being on a salary and earning no overtime.
