How to Explain Your 'Creative' Career to Your Traditional Parents (Spoiler: You Can't)
How to Explain Your 'Creative' Career to Your Traditional Parents (Spoiler: You Can't)
Dad still tells people I 'work in computers.' I'm a lifestyle blogger. We've had this conversation 47 times.
Look, I get it. According to recent statistics, creative careers have way higher rates of self-employment than traditional jobs. Try explaining that to parents who think "stable employment" means working at the same company for 40 years and getting a gold watch at retirement. (Spoiler: That's not a thing anymore, Mom.)
The Initial Explanation Attempt "So, I create content for the internet," I say, watching my dad's eyes glaze over faster than a Krispy Kreme donut. Fun fact: research shows that Baby Boomers value job security and traditional career advancement above all else. Meanwhile, here I am, explaining that my office is wherever I can balance my laptop and coffee cup simultaneously.
The Comparison to Cousin's Job "But your cousin Jennifer is a lawyer!" (Yes, and she cries in her Tesla instead of my Toyota. Different strokes.) The generational divide is real – studies indicate that younger generations like mine are way more motivated by meaningful work and flexibility than just salary. Try telling that to my mom, who still clips newspaper job listings for "real careers."
The Income Questions "But how do you make money?" (Always asked during family dinner, naturally.) While I could mention that creative industry professionals in the UK earn about a third more than the national average, I usually just stuff my mouth with mashed potatoes and mumble something about "multiple revenue streams." That usually buys me at least three minutes of peace.
The "Backup Plan" Suggestions Every conversation inevitably circles back to backup plans. Teaching certification. Law school. Medical school (Mom's getting desperate). According to parent-child communication experts, active listening and validation are crucial for healthy relationships. I'm pretty sure they didn't account for the weekly "Have you considered accounting?" conversations.
The Acceptance (Kind of) We've reached a sort of détente. Dad introduces me as someone who "does computer things," Mom has stopped sending me job listings (mostly), and I've learned to nod appreciatively when they send me articles about "how to make your hobby into a real job."
Progress comes in baby steps. Like the time Dad proudly told his golf buddy I was "an influencer" (I'm not) or when Mom mentioned to her book club that I "do marketing" (closer, but still no). At least they've stopped asking if I can fix their printer. (That's not what "working in computers" means, Dad!)
So here I am, part of the 28% of creative professionals who are self-employed, trying to explain to my traditional parents that yes, this is a real job, and no, I don't need to learn coding. Though sometimes I wonder if learning to code might be easier than having this conversation for the 48th time.
How do you explain your job to your parents? Are you also 'in computers'? Let me know in the comments – bonus points if your parents still think you're going to law school "eventually."