Vercingetorix
You said
"You appear to epitomise modern Britain as in the 'Me Me Me Gen X "I want it all but I don't want to put the effort in".
Well I guess you got me there.
I enjoyed talking to planes but it was the 'peripherals' that were becoming just dumber and dumber. That and nearly always not being able to take leave when I wanted/needed amongst some other things.
I'm sure a teacher's job of 30 years ago is no different to a teacher's job today.
The original post asked about work/life balance and I'm giving an alternative view of ATC a bit closer to the job that is done today.
The past is a foreign country, they 'did' things differently there…….