So what do you think? Is massage a profession or a hobby?
I have been doing it for 20 years so I think it is a profession. The frustrated massage therapists at indeed.com think it is just a hobby and that they are not valued or respected for what they do. Some came from high paying jobs with big degrees and feel that massage is just not respected.
Massage is still so commonly thought of as a massage parlor and those ‘other’ massage therapists.  Even here in Seattle where I have never really had a problem being respected every once in awhile I will hear that someone’s doctor said something like “Massage doesn’t work” but not very often. What can we learn from the people here in the NW? Or maybe it is just that people have migrated here who want more and are more open.
What is it exactly that makes for a profession? The white paper from Rick Rosen “On Becoming a Profession” (pdf)a few year ago talked about some of the issues and we are working on them all.
If you think it is a profession will you be respected more or care less about what other think?  Is it a hobby just to be done part time and not make any money? Is it just your perspective that makes it a profession? If you don’t think it is a profession you then get everyone who thinks the same? How does your perspective influence what others think as far as respecting the profession? If you don’t think it is a profession why would anyone else?
Just some questions I have been wondering about? What makes a profession?
