Would you choose family or career?
By jhartana
@jhartana (1084)
Australia
March 22, 2007 5:45am CST
Now this is a question that may prove challenging to all of you. To all husbands and wifes do you choose family or career? I know all of families would choose family over the career. Parents would spend their precious time with their children and close families. I believe all of you agree that families will be their first priority regardless of what is happening. You can lose your career but you cannot afford to lose a family you have build. If you would choose career then you might end up with big arguments with your partner over your role in the family.
I have just watched the movie "Devil Wears Prada", it's sad that Anne Hattaway's character choose career than her partner and friends and she have lost them just because of the career.
I also know we can't build a family without a career as well. But how important family and career to all of you? How would you balance between family and career and counter any difficulties you may have? How could you work out to prevent any imbalance between family and career?
And what would you do if your boss offers you a top paying job but have to work extra hours (including working over hours in the night or weekend)? Would you accept the boss offer and have further negotiation or you would tell the boss truthfully that you have family to take care and spend time with?
Please do share your opinion about this. Any feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks :)
7 people like this
42 responses
@brandi_girl_16 (624)
• United States
22 Mar 07
I would choose my family over any job! My family's the most important thing to me on earth and I'd never choose a little thing, like a career, over them! Ever!! I've quit jobs just because I'd plan a trip with my family and they wouldn't give it to me off! I don't care about a measly career! A career is supposably important but you can find one anywhere! I've had great paying jobs and still it's not worth staying at it if I miss important events with my family! It may sound immature and irresponsible but that's just the way I feel about my family!
@sherinek (3320)
• United States
22 Mar 07
A person who can juggle both properly will win at the end. I am a working mom and i do my best to be the best mom and wife. It is actually hard and sometimes, i lose control. But i know i cant choose one. So, i try. Its always better to plan your carrier around your family. Your main focus should be the family and then the rest start falling in line accordingly. You mustnt let the bosses think that you are available any time any day. That way you lose your place in your family. Then your family must understand that you are doing a job and you better do it so that they can have certain luxuries. So both are important and equal. You must some times feel exhausted, but cant help, this is life that we have given and we must live it the best we can.
@clover (104)
• Malaysia
22 Mar 07
Family is very important to me, I know to choose between career and family is very difficult as family is something we hold dear to our live and career is a mean for us to survive in this competitive world... what I'm replying here is based on what I'm thinking now, I might act different in the future if ever I have to choose between both because who know what the next year might bring to us, we might be thrown in to a situation hard to describe and that may influence decision making. but as of now, I have to say that family would be a priority over everything. I just can't imagine choosing other things than family because I'll feel bad, that's one thing but the most important thing is the natural link that has tied us together... it'll be more of a natural thing rather than thing we have to think about.
as to your question, I will take the offer if at that time I'm in a financial crisis as it's something that can help in improving my family's life but if I what I currently have is enough for the family, I will choose extra time with them....
@ladyrainfx (366)
• Philippines
22 Mar 07
I think it's rather important to keep a good balance between career and family. It's true that without the other you could loose.
For instance my work is very demanding, I am on an early morning shift and when I reach home pc should be open immediately to respond to emails and communications.
On the other hand my baby is also waiting for me to play and at least bond together. We'll what I would normally do is make sure i'd be the one to feed him and eat together and put him to bed. When everything is settled, I'd get back to work.
It's kinda tough but I learned to adjust and live with that.
@MysticWriter (13)
• United States
23 Mar 07
Jobs come and jobs go, but family is forever.
Personally, I walked away froma $75000/yr job for the sake of my family. And any decisions I ever made regarding job vs. family where always made with the family's thoughts and opinions being consulted first and put first and foremost. But, that's just me.
@GloomCookieLex (6073)
• United States
23 Mar 07
Well, in my life, "family" would only ever include my mother and my husband since I a vehemently childfree woman. But, I think it depends entirely on the situation. It depends on what the career is, what kind of opportunity it is, what my financial situation is and what my husband doing and thinks of it. If it's a once-in-a-lifetime offer or if we really need the money, then I would choose the job. Once you're well stable in a career, you can usually cut your hours back, or find a different company that will give you less of a workload. My husband will always be there for me, really good opportunities can be hard to come by.
@syain1972 (1011)
• Singapore
23 Mar 07
I had chosen family over career. I had quit my high flying job to be with my 2 young children. The long hours away from home is very detrimental when your child kept calling you at work and asked when I'll be back home. I did not regret that decision as I am now enjoying every minute of my life looking after the 2 kiddies. I can see them grow right in front of my eyes. They are my precious angels given to me by God.... To me family ties are very important. They are my very backbone and strength. They are always there to cheer me, give me moral support and love... Even my boss could not deter me from quitting...
@kgsaravana (169)
• India
23 Mar 07
If we have the carrier we can develop our family.
But if we have the family we may develop the carrier.
There is a difference between these two sentences.
First one is sure.
Next on eis not sure.(may)
@khurram876 (46)
• Pakistan
23 Mar 07
In my view, if some choose career over family. He can gain a lot success in his life. But he has nobody to cherish his/her success. He will probably be alone to cheer about his success. On the other hand, is is possible that after opting for family, he/she will failure in his career. But they have someone to help/encourage him/her.
Thanks.
@ravindrajk (57)
• India
23 Mar 07
nice question...i would say only one thing balance between this two things.....!!
@rishalravindran (33)
• India
23 Mar 07
As you mentioned,its the age factor that decides whether family or career is more valuable....Well during our teen age,we tend to earn and spend more....We dont spent as that much,when we turn old....Well i think as husband,take care of your wife kids and parents....Similar is case with wife.....Money comes and goes...But never break relations
@akuler_ler (675)
• Malaysia
23 Mar 07
Of course family is my main choose. Can you imagine life without family. Only have a career and did'nt have family. You can felt lonely without family. I agree career can make use rich and get the happy life but what is the meaning all of this if you alone. Enjoys with friends?? Yes, you can enjoy but after all of this end all your friend lost from you. If we get sick, who take care us?? Our friends?? Our career?? Or our family??? Of course the answer is family.
@MURALI_SUGANTH (38)
• India
23 Mar 07
I am a married woman and working in a private firm. I always prefer carrier more than the family. If our career is good, we are well satisfied with our needs and also we can fulfil our children's wants. Atpresent trend, women also think of their development in career. If my boss wants me to wait everday, I will not accept. By knowing the importance of job, I will sit in late hours and work.
@zj0511yuhui (54)
• China
23 Mar 07
your dicussion !i always think in fact i can not choose because both are important .you know if you want to live and get good life.you must make more money everyday. energy is limited so when you have family to take care ,i will ask you how to choose ! i choose career
• India
23 Mar 07
the topic raised by author is definitely important as its concerned with each of us .
i would like to stay with my family instead of going for career.our parents who spend their time and money to build us ,how fair it will be to left them when they really need us?
if u ask this your self you gonna get the answer.....
@vineetpuri2007 (15)
• India
23 Mar 07
It depends upon what is your goal of life .
If one is passionate about reaching a very high positin in life then your family members would always understand your
situation and would rather support you to work better.
@cromrose (9)
• Philippines
23 Mar 07
First of all, I'm a single mom living with my dad. My baby is a cute and smart 1 year old girl whom for me is the best gift I ever had. Raising her alone is difficult (every single parent will agree) but seeing her growing up is pretty much amazing for me. The feeling is incomparable to all other achievements I've had. I worked in a hotel before as an Accountant but I resigned and I realized now that, being practical, I wanted to spend more time with my kid rather than working 12 hours a day. That is why Im eager to find ways to earn extra money just by being at home rather than away from the people I love. I'll choose my family. Its where I can be happy. Career? I don't know for other people but for me, I'll find a way to spend more time with family. Of course, I have to work hard too, in my own way, to earn money raising my kid. that's all
