How can I stop my parents from expecting me to follow their career advice rather than what I want to do?

My father want me to become an engineer, but I love literature and I feel like I should work with that. Well, it is not easy. You can remember that you can't live up to anyone's expectations. Even your parents' . I know that disobeying seems wrong and perhaps disrespectful, but it will be necessary. Do what you love and what inspires you. Your parents may expect you to follow their career advice, maybe for sometime, and you will have to live with it. Talk to them about your decision and know that maybe its not possible to change their thinking. You can't get in a person's head. I know you love your parents and want their approval, but you have to stand up for yourself. I love literature and I know my father devalues my degree and thinks and maybe won't change his thinking, but I have to do what I love and what I believe in. Respect is a 2 way street. If your parents don't respect your career decision, you don't have to obbey and follow their advice.

Hi there! I would suggest that you sit them down and have a mature conversation with them. They may not know how you feel, therefore if you try to express yourself to them they may understand. This is a very common problem nowadays, so just know that you're not alone! It also really depends what age you are, as if you're young then your parents might not want you to make a mistake. If your old enough however, then talking to them would be the best idea. You could also give evidence of why the career path you chose is good by showing them a website or even making a power point! Trying to persuade your parents to stop them making you follow their career advice varies, as all parents are different. Some are easier to persuade, and some are harder. As I don't know you or them very well, all I can suggest is talking with them. I hope you have a great day.

Just go on to follow the career you want. And someday they will realize that you have reached an irreversible point in your career and that you can't switch career at that point in life. Then they will have no option but to stop expecting you to follow their career advice, and will have to accept you for whatever career you followed.

It is often difficult, because a lot of parents really want the best for their children and want them to grow into a secure career with many prospects. But it is your life and if you have a goal, that is different to what they want from you, then you need to do what makes you happy and explain that to them.

You can let them know that you'll consider their advice and explore different options, then make a choice based on what you think will be best for you. They need to know that their advice isn't going to be ignored, that they will be heard. But, at the end, you have to make sure you do what makes you happy. It's the only way you'll stay happy whilst doing what you're doing.

being direct and talking to them straight about the fact that it bothers you can help a lot if the choose to actually listen

Well, first you have to respect their decision. They indeed only want the best for you. If they see that you respect them and their wishes, they will (hopefully) respect you to decide for yourself. If everything else fails, work hard to reach your goals and don't expect other people to do it for you.

They cant be stopped, just avoid them. 20 Years from now you will be the only one responsible, so do what you want to do.

The biggest thing that you can do is to just follow what you want to do. Eventually they'll be okay with it.

I know it can be easy to say but... Talk to them. Let them know what you want to do and what it would do to you to become what they want you to become vs what you want to become. Parents are sometimes scared of the opportunities their child will have in their chosen career. To counter this do your research get informed on what you want to do and also, show them that you are an independent person with independent thoughts. If this fails try to get someone they value and hold in high esteem to talk to them in your favour. It can be your grand-ma, an advisor, a spiritual leader, etc.