Good day,
My name is Jiang 61, and I am here to assist you.
Firstly, I would like to thank you for allowing us to hear your concerns and offer our advice. The issue you have raised is that your girlfriend is requesting that you relocate to her hometown before she will agree to marry you.
"After reviewing your background and understanding your situation, I am available to provide a supportive and constructive response.
1. Introduction
1. Differences in outlook
You stated, "I have a girlfriend in Shanghai and I'm in Guangzhou. I desire to get married, but she wants me to relocate to Shanghai for my career. I'm 38 years old and work as a software engineer at HSBC, but it's challenging to find a fulfilling position in Shanghai. I am eager to get married because my family expects me to start a family. My girlfriend is only 24 and is not inclined to marry. She is indifferent about marriage."
Value differences
It is evident that there are significant discrepancies in your perspectives on marriage and romantic relationships. You are pursuing a relationship with the intention of marriage, whereas your partner does not appear to prioritize this aspect.
The age difference between the two parties is a significant factor in this situation.
Additionally, there is a significant age difference between you and your partner. You are the more experienced party, with a need for a stable job from a career progression standpoint. She, on the other hand, is younger and may not have had the opportunity to navigate the challenges associated with unstable employment.
Insecurity
Your girlfriend has made it clear that she will not marry you until you have developed your career in Shanghai. It is possible that she feels insecure and therefore does not want to leave the city where she lives.
2. What is the best course of action?
You inquire as to the optimal course of action, asking whether you should disengage and pursue an alternative.
It appears that you are facing a challenging decision between your girlfriend's lack of understanding, her expectations for marriage, and your family's expectations. Despite your positive feelings towards your girlfriend, her attitude has created a dilemma for you. I would like to use this platform to assist you in making a decision.
2. Analysis of the reasons for indecision
1. Sense of security
Safety is a fundamental aspect of any business operation. It encompasses the assurance of protection against potential risks and threats, as well as the assurance of reliability and resilience in the face of unforeseen circumstances.
A sense of security is defined as a feeling of confidence, safety, and freedom from fear and anxiety. It is also a feeling of satisfaction with one's present and future needs. Additionally, it is a foreboding of possible physical or psychological dangers or risks, as well as a sense of power/weakness in dealing with them. It is mainly manifested as a sense of certainty and control.
Insecurity
I am unsure if your girlfriend is overly attached to you. She has expressed reservations about relocating to your city.
From her perspective, it is primarily about her sense of security.
2. Views on Marriage
Marriage Outlook
The concept of marriage represents one's fundamental understanding and attitude towards marriage-related matters. It constitutes a key element of one's overall outlook on life.
A correct view of marriage emphasizes that marriage must be based on love and adhere to the principle of the voluntary participation of both parties.
The concept of marriage emphasizes that the two parties should have an in-depth mutual understanding, a common ideological foundation, mutual respect, and a strong affinity before they can become husband and wife and form a family.
The following are the reasons for indecision:
The reasons for your dilemma can be attributed to two factors: firstly, the difficulty of finding suitable work and developing yourself; secondly, the pressure from your family to get married, which is a significant but often invisible pressure.
I can see that the reason for your indecision is not that you and your partner lack a foundation of love. Rather, it seems that you value your career more highly than marriage and that you are motivated to marry for the sake of others, rather than yourself. This may be causing you difficulty in making a decision.
3. Double-tendency conflict
A double-constraint conflict
The conflict between fish and bear's paw represents a psychological conflict known as a dual-tendency conflict. This conflict refers to the internal conflict and conflict that arises when an individual is unable to obtain two coexisting goals that are equally attractive at the same time.
It is important to identify what we value.
Another reason for the difficulty in making a decision is the dual-tendency conflict, which prevents the simultaneous satisfaction of two coexisting goals. The choice between love and career is a case in point.
If you are unable to achieve both goals simultaneously, you may experience feelings of conflict and distress. This conflict could potentially lead to challenges in your professional life.
3. Recommendations
1. Select a course of action.
Select the appropriate course of action.
The act of choosing involves evaluating multiple options and selecting the one that best aligns with a specific purpose or need.
Consider the following:
Your values should inform your decision-making process. For instance, should you prioritize love or your career when making decisions, rather than being compelled to marry?
2. Self-growth
Self-growth
Self-growth is defined as the comprehensive development and progress of an individual through the improvement of self-awareness, continuous learning, and the accumulation of experience and skills. It is the core of individual development and one of the most important components of society.
Self-growth is an ongoing process with no definitive endpoint. It is essential for everyone to pursue continuous learning and discovery to achieve comprehensive progress.
It provides reassurance to others.
As we mature, we become better equipped to navigate family, career, and interpersonal relationships, instilling confidence in those around us. By taking a proactive approach to managing these aspects of our lives, we can foster a sense of security and stability in those who look up to us.
3. Establish clear boundaries.
Establishing and maintaining clear boundaries
A sense of boundaries is the understanding that individuals are independent and that responsibilities and rights are clearly defined, both for oneself and for others. This helps to ensure that personal space is respected and that violations are avoided.
It is essential to establish clear boundaries.
In the context of marriage, the decision is ultimately yours to make. It is important to remember that marriage is not about pleasing others but about making a personal choice based on love. When you make the right choice, it will be evident to others that you are an independent and trustworthy person.
If you make the right choice, we will be able to assess how to handle your relationship with your girlfriend and put your mind at ease.
I would like to extend my best wishes to the original poster for a happy and prosperous future.
Comments
I can totally relate to your dilemma. It's tough being pulled in different directions. Maybe it's time for an honest conversation with her about your career and age concerns, and see if there's a compromise you both can live with.
Considering your situation, have you thought about discussing remote work options with HSBC? That way, you could be in Shanghai with her but still keep your job. Worth exploring!
It sounds like you're at a crossroads. Have you considered talking to a counselor together? Sometimes an outside perspective can help bridge the gap between two different viewpoints.
The age difference might be contributing to the differing views on marriage. Perhaps suggesting a timeline or milestones for your relationship could give both of you more clarity and a path forward.
Your family's expectations are important, but so is your happiness. Maybe try having a hearttoheart with your girlfriend about what getting married means to you and your family. Communication is key.