How can I convince my parents that being an anthropologist is a legitimate profession?

Question

I'm particularly interested in archeology, but my parents really only respect the biological sciences (biology and chemistry). Well, they really only care that I make a more money than they do (they're engineers, so they want me to be a doctor or dentist). Thing is, I don't like bio. How can I get them to take me seriously when it comes to being an archaeologist?

Answer 1

Become independent of them financially, then you won't feel so guilty in making your own life-choices, and it will take away the psychological leverage they have over you!

Answer 2

They can't prevent you from doing what you want.

To me, spending all one's working life doing something you'r not interested in is crazy; doing what you love makes much more sense. It's not as though you're planning to be a rock star, where your chances of making a living wage at all are in serious doubt.

If they don't buy the argument that spending the vast bulk of your life being miserable would just be insane, then do a little research of anthropologists and archaeologists, to show them that you won't be starving.

True, you're unlikely to be rich, but happiness is so much more important than that.

You might also look into the writings of Warren Buffet, one of the richest people alive. He'd be on YOUR side, in doing what you love.

It's hard to believe that they'd want you to be miserable. If they see that you're choosing a realistic and perfectly respectable career (respectable to 90% of the general population), maybe they'll come around.

Ultimately, though, what they think doesn't matter; you should do what YOU know will make you happy.

Answer 3

Tell them its more important to you for you to enjoy your job than for you to make a lot of money. Here is a list of jobs you can get if you major in anthropology. http://www.utexas.edu/student/careercent...

Answer 4

Just do it, it's your life.

Answer 5

If money as well as anthropology is important to you, look into forensic anthropology. There are many career possibilities with this, including work for the FBI and other government agencies. It may not make as much as medicine, but will make more than most other anthropological jobs. However, if you're only doing this for your parents I'd just do what makes you happy. If your parents don't love you and aren't proud of the decisions you make for yourself then you're just an object to them anyway.