[Waterluvian]

I used to work 60 hours a week because I absolutely loved what I did. It gave me meaning. Then I had a son and it fell to 40... Then 30... Then I quit. Now I'm home with him and absolutely love what I'm doing. I still feel successful nurturing a little human. It gives me more meaning than my job ever did. Financially I need to work again, but I doubt it will ever be the nexus of my day.

[DanielBMarkham]

What a great story. And so now you spend 60, 70, or more hours a week with your son, which gives your life meaning.

Nobody said you have to have the same values for your entire life, or that somehow you have to go punch a clock to make a difference in the world. This is about happiness and meaning, not work or family. The two don't have to have anything to do with one another.

You and you alone decide what your values are and what gives your life meaning -- and whatever that is can and probably should (?) change throughout your life.

[aceon48]

Are you male or female?

[Waterluvian]

Typically I'd question why it matters but I appreciate that this is a very gender role specific topic. I'm male.

[gem1123]

Were you a web developer?

I found my web dev colleagues were much more aware of the gender imbalances in the world and the expectation that I (female) would be the nurturer in my family.

[Waterluvian]

I'm a geographer (The STEM program that was 51% female at my university). I'd like to think I have nurtured a balanced progressive view of the world, but we all have our biases.