60s. My father would like to retire with in the next two years and enjoy his life by traveling around the world. My step mom does not want to talk about retirement because she believes when you enjoy what you do why would stop. She also believes people who come from professional class families that they work because they love it and and since my father grew up in a working class family he has the mentality that you work is death. I am just wondering how should this situation be resolved any way besides divorce.
2007-10-09 14:30:54 · 8 answers · asked by redgirl 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Step Mom should continue to work and Dad should retire and travel. I don't know what the semester schedule is at their school(s) but the schools I'm familiar with have most of January and mid-May to September off. That should be plenty of time for Step Mom to join Dad for extended trips.
It's less of a class struggle and more of an opportunity for compromise. No one needs to be right and no one needs to be wrong.
2007-10-09 14:40:49 · answer #1 · answered by guaglione1972 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is true that it is a class difference.
However, we live in different times to those times when people were old at 60, and ready for the rocking chair. I am 62 and will work until I am unable to, which will be 20+ years.
And because people live longer now, somebody at 60 has a life expectency of about 90, and that’s average (the figures you see for life expectancy are based from birth, but are still around 80 for women and 76 for men). What this means is that at 60, who has the capital to live a comfortable life for another 30 years? Has your Dad thought about that?
Many of my old school friends in England took voluntary retirement at 55. Did they really think that one out? Did the British government think that one out? I think it is a big, big mistake, and millions of people in western countries are going to overflow the worst of the rest homes when they haven’t got the finance to look after themselves into old age.
Anyone still fit and healthy at 60 and having the opportunity to carry on working, would be really stupid to give it up. And that old “let’s see the world before we pop off” is a good recipe for making sure you pop off early.
Busy people live longer.
2007-10-09 21:47:00 · answer #2 · answered by nick s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well why cant your mother take some time off to travel and then go back to work when they return or even so she can work casual/part time if she is enjoying what she is doing. This shouldn't have to be a problem that leads to divorce and your dad should retire if he can afford to but if your mum enjoys working, no one should force her to give it up especially if she is getting some extra money. She will give up in her own time. Personally if this was my situation I would not give up even if I was a millionaire especially loving what I do but I would agree to some time off to travel with my husband if that is what he wanted. They should agree to disagree.
2007-10-09 21:35:40 · answer #3 · answered by Me, myself and I 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It certainly is a class distinction, isn't it? However! Is it not possible for your father to follow his dream whilst your step mom pursue her academic dreams? Why should they divorce? After all, they are both well into their sixties so your father would have to stop travelling in the near future and they could still correspond with each other via the net or mail until he decides he's had enough! Have a great day.
2007-10-09 21:42:21 · answer #4 · answered by wheeliebin 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd suggest they look into the possibility of teaching for the University of Maryland. When I was in the Military, UM had little branch universities all over the world. They could teach a semester in Heidelberg, then in Seoul, then who knows where.
It's possible they could travel the world and still teach, and serve the needs of our soldiers all in one fell swoop.
2007-10-09 21:36:30 · answer #5 · answered by open4one 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is not something you can resolve. They will have to find their own answers. Don't take such a heavy load by playing the intervention game and try to respect thier decision, whatever it is. You will be more of a help to them that way.
2007-10-09 21:43:11 · answer #6 · answered by jrabbits 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They need to realize each other needs and goals. there is no reason why he cant retire if that is what chooses.
2007-10-09 21:33:20 · answer #7 · answered by hatingmsn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They should compromise. She can travel with him on vacations and holidays. Other times he can go alone, or maybe with you!
2007-10-09 21:34:19 · answer #8 · answered by TG 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋