Avital, Why don't you try to put on Charadi clothing for a day and then seek employment in the secular sector? You might be surprised to find that all of the doors to decent employment are closed in your face. I, a professional, came to Israel in 1970's and tried to find employment only to find it very difficult for a charadi looking person to be accepted by an employer. Then in order to get a job, I had to accept low wages. Then I had to deal with a secular work force that really wanted little to do with me at the places of employment since I looked charadi. Don't take my word for it, dear Avital, go out and try it yourself and see how great the discrimination can be. Then understand just why there are so few charadim in the work force...

What is more important? Dressing like an 18th century Pole or dressing for the climate and for the job. It is a matter of priorities. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that you have to dress that way. Fixed ideas are not good in the workplace. The lack of flexibility among the Haredi is probably also a reason why they are far back in the queue for hiring. They are not taught to think independently, role with the punches and to rise to the occasion, as secular people learn from grade 1. A Haredi "education" is of no practical use in getting or keeping a job in the secular world. Few seculars respect the Haredi mindset, because it is so unyielding and leaves no room for creativity. Black and white, in many ways.