Why My University-Educated Kids Can't Find Stable Jobs: A Parent's Struggle
Vnexpress International2 months ago
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Why My University-Educated Kids Can't Find Stable Jobs: A Parent's Struggle

WORK-LIFE BALANCE
jobmarket
careerchallenges
freelancing
parenting
work-lifebalance
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Summary:

  • Struggles of a parent: Worked hard to provide education for children hoping for stable careers.

  • Educational achievement: Both children hold university degrees but lack stable employment.

  • Job instability: Son changes jobs every two years; daughter prefers freelancing over traditional jobs.

  • Family tension: Disagreement between parents on the importance of stable jobs versus temporary work.

  • Future concerns: Parent worries about children's uncertain lifestyle as they age.

I worked hard to send my children to school so they could have stable careers, but now they refuse to settle down.

Our Journey

My wife and I have two children—a son and a daughter. We struggled through various jobs before settling down to run a small convenience store. Every morning, I would open the shop, deliver water, beer, and gas, while my wife handles household chores and manages sales. We have worked tirelessly, saving every penny to ensure our children got a proper education, hoping they would have stable careers and easier lives than ours.

The Reality

But looking at them now, things did not turn out the way I expected. Both earned university degrees, yet neither has a stable career. My eldest son, now 27, never stays in a job for more than two years. My youngest daughter, 24, stays home doing online gigs. After her internship, she chose freelancing instead of working for a company.

A man is working on his computer. Illustration photo by Pexels

A Parent's Concern

My wife sees no issue. She says, "They'll learn through experience. Plenty of people get by on temporary jobs." But I can't accept that. If they have degrees, why live like this?

Whenever I bring it up, tension rises at home. I worry about their future, but my wife insists that as long as they can support themselves, that's enough. She argues that working for a company is not the only way to make a living nowadays.
I just fear they will continue living this uncertain lifestyle. What will happen when they are old and cannot keep up with what they are doing now?

The Dilemma

I don’t know what to do. Should I push them toward stable jobs or let them figure things out on their own?

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