Should I Sacrifice My Future for My Familys House? AITA for Not Wanting a Government Job?

"AITA for not wanting to sacrifice my future by taking a government job just to keep my family's house? Pressure at 19 to secure housing dilemma."

Damjan

Published in Interesting
18 Dec 2025

Should I Sacrifice My Future for My Familys House? AITA for Not Wanting a Government Job?

In a world where family obligations often weigh heavily on young adults, one 19-year-old is facing a particularly tough dilemma that has sparked a heated discussion on Reddit. The crux of the issue lies in the pressure he feels from his family to take a government job, which they believe will allow them to continue living in the government house they currently occupy.

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With his father's impending retirement, the family fears losing their home and sees his employment as a potential solution to their housing crisis. However, the young man finds himself at a crossroads.

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Accepting a job he has no interest in would effectively tie his future to a role he doesn't desire, leaving him feeling trapped. He expresses concern that if he were ever to leave the job, his family would lose their home, placing an immense burden on him at such a young age.

Adding to the complexity is that he has older siblings, yet he feels the pressure is disproportionately directed at him, leaving him questioning the fairness of the situation. As the discussion unfolds, Reddit users weigh in, with many expressing empathy and support for the young man's desire to forge his own path.

The thread offers a profound exploration of family dynamics, personal responsibility, and the challenges of balancing individual aspirations with familial expectations. What do you think?

Is it fair to place such pressure on someone so young? Join the conversation and share your thoughts!

Original Post

I’m 19. My dad works a senior government job and our family lives in an official government house.

When he retires, we’re supposed to move out. We don’t own any other house.

Because of that, my family wants me to join government service at a lower scale so they can try to get the house transferred or re-allotted under my name. The thing is, I recently found out that if I do that, the house would be directly tied to my job.

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If I ever quit, resign, or get transferred, we’d lose the house again. I don’t actually want a government job.

I’m not interested in that career path at all. The main reason they want me to do it is just so the house issue is delayed or “handled.” I feel like once I take the job, I’ll never be able to leave because the moment I do, it becomes “you made us homeless.” I have siblings, including older ones, but for some reason the pressure is mostly on me.

I get why my family is scared, but I also feel like I’m being asked to lock myself into something for life at 19 out of guilt. I haven’t outright refused yet, but I feel really uncomfortable and trapped just thinking about it.

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AITA for not wanting to take a job knowing I’d basically be stuck forever because of the house?