Matt:
It's very unsettling to not be respected by others, when you have clearly earned that respect. However, don't ever allow other people - no matter who they are - to define who you are.
I would venture a guess that the millionaires that dismissed your opinions are quite used to being 'in charge' and the very fact that you haven't made a pile of money, like them, probably - albeit subconsciously - affects thier opinion of you. I've seen this happen when working with affluent people; it's the old carnard; "If you're so smart, why ain't you rich?" In this case, we could add; 'Like me' to that line. Tough situation.
As far as making more money; that is something for you and your wife to talk over and decide. It seems as if you need to find a balance between doing what you like and doing something that generates a decent income.
$12,000 a year for what you're doing is noble but not too practical for a married man who wants to start a family soon. They cost real money, as you know.
Perhaps you could lower your expenses, which would help. You would be surprised what we can do without, Of course, that may not be workable if you're already cutting corners on expenses. Just a suggestion.
Perhaps you could seek a position with a charity that needs your kind of dedication and expertise.
I'm not sure, but with your education and experience, you should certainly be able to do better financially without going into a soul-deadening job. You need to start exploring what's 'out there'. Your wife isn't getting any younger and if you're so stressed out at work, that may be the signal that it's time for a change all around. Nothing stays the same forever.
I think that in the fifties, society (in general) supported the idea of women staying home to raise their kids and paid most men a living wage, as they were expected to support the family, not depend on a working wife. This was especially true of the middle class, as I understand it.
Now, it's simply assumed that a wife works, and if she doesn't, that lack of income is never considered when salaries are calculated.
Not sure if the 1950's were all that warm and fuzzy as some make them out to be (I can think of a few classes of people who didn't do so well back then) but society was certainly more family-oriented and didn't have the courseness we see now. Hokey TV, no computers, no cell phones, etc but they still had the Chevy V-8, flathead Fords and Olds V-8's in '32 Model A's. Not bad.
We wish you well. Now, stop obsessing and get some sleep! It's Christmas season. Ho Ho Ho!
|