I want to do a suitable job, but my parents hate it because “it doesn’t make a lot of money”. How can I deal with such a situation?

I can understand your situation. It often happens when our parents do not approve of what we do. Especially when it comes to our jobs, their concern is obvious. After all, they are our parents. They are concerned about our future. No matter how much we grow up, we will always remain kids to them, and they have to know they did everything they could to guide us. So I think you might have got a hint of the solution to your problem with my words. After reading the complete answer, I hope you will get some good ideas, which you will be able to share with your parents to make them trust you for your job choice. Let’s explore!

As far as I can understand, the only thing in your case is that you have to convince your parents that there is a lot of money in the job that you have planned to do. You have to take inventory on what kind of job suits you best, and how well can it pay you. I can help you with that too. Please feel free to reply to me for more information on that. I would be pleased to help you.

Coming straight to the point, a healthy source of income is a necessary part of a full life. For most people, that’s a job, and it’s considered the only, singular source of income they need at any given time. Having many sources of income, or a good income from at least a few sources, can make anyone rich. Ignoring a few exceptions, it’s everyone’s wish to earn lots of money and become rich. Anyone who is already rich wishes to be richer. It’s the way it goes. The bitter truth is that in today’s time, the measure of success of any person is his wealth. In my experience, coming across as wealthy cuts through every other first impression. Once I started to make more money and updated my wardrobe with clothes I couldn’t afford before, it was like I was an entirely new person. Even people who knew me well, who knew nothing had really changed, just the clothes, responded to me more warmly. It was a little depressing, to be honest!

Well, whoever is to blame for this common bias, it would sidetrack us too much to talk about it. Point is, your parents are coming from at least a partly sensible position, because it is necessary to have money. No one is untouched from that thinking, not even our parents. One thing is certain: your parents likely mean well, and wanting you to have a job that makes a lot of money is out of care and confidence in you.

After justifying the parents’ wishes, now let’s talk about your job. How do we intersect so that you get a job you enjoy, and you make enough to live a great life and satisfy your parents?

Obviously the best scenario is that you earn a lot of money with a job of your choice. This brings to mind that old saying “Do what you love, and you never work a day in your life.” Doing something like that, whatever it is for you, and getting paid a lot, is not some fantasy, so do not let people who have settled in life convince you that it’s not possible. I won’t blow smoke and say it’s always easy, but it’s not impossible, not by a long shot. That said, money does matter, and should be a strong determinant in what you choose to do. Even if there is no desire for money now, it will come, especially as you get older.

To convince your parents that your suitable job can get you money and a secure future, you will have to discuss your job with them. Share your plans with them, and the way you will be going to achieve your goals. Almost every career path that seems unprofitable on the surface can be expanded and tweaked to make more money. Discuss every detail in the best way as you can, so that they may develop confidence in you as well as your suitable job. For that, keep a point in mind that your job choice ought to be promising. Now what is promising or not, can be determined with discussion from people who know about that job, or field. I can help you with that.

At the same time, you should know and discuss amicably with your parents that money is not everything. Yes! I mean that. It’s a harsh reality.  All that glitters is not gold. In the same way, anyone who is rich, might not necessarily be happy. Enjoy money, but do not lust after it and the idea of growing it. Be happy with the amount of money you have at any given time, and let your future improvements in income be a pleasant surprise. That perspective is so incredibly important. Nothing is worse than making money, after you chased it, and discovering that you don’t feel any happier. This is happening all over the world to hardworking people.

I have much more I could say. What matters most in the long run, is don’t chase a set amount of money, chase financial freedom. That means you have enough that you need not bother to work, or not work regularly like someone at a 9-5 job. In that way, you can work on any job of your choice as a hobby. But you have to work your way up there first.

As an important resource of points to convince your parents that money is not everything, as well as for you to look for how you can have enough income to pursue the career option of your choice, I have a post to share with you. After reading that post, you would be in a better position to tackle your problem. My post, The Homeless Millionaire: How Making Money Is Only Half the Battle discusses that being a millionaire means nothing by itself. If you make your parents read that post, I am sure they would also change their thoughts.

In the end, I would say: communicate and discuss your plans in detail with your parents. I won’t suggest you go against them as I am hopeful that you would get enough points from this answer as well as that post to finally convince them, and solidify your mindset too.

Please feel free to discuss more if you have any questions. I enjoy being a counselor and a career guide.

Good Luck!

Thanks,

Cleo