Throwaway account because my partner knows I’m on Reddit. 25F and my partner 25M have been dating for almost 2 years now. My parents are pretty old school and have high expectations for my future husband (financial stability/“good job”, able to take care of me, etc.). My partner doesn’t come from a financially stable household and is currently working on getting his bachelors due to some bumps in the road when he was younger. He has some debts but is currently working towards paying them off but doesn’t have much savings. He has a full time job and while going to school. My parents have recently been wanting to me to make a decision on my future. They do not approve of my current partner because of his lack of education and financial stability. They feel as if he is “below me” and that I can do better. His parents have also questioned why I am with him because of the fact that he can’t provide for me either since he currently has nothing to his name. They also mentioned the fact that I have a degree and he is still working on his. I know we are still young but the pressure from my parents is getting too much for me. They expect me to make a decision (either choose him or have them find someone for me) and get engaged within the next two years. I feel like that’s a lot of pressure on the both of us considering he is still working towards his education and I am trying to get into grad school. I want him to finish school and get a job first before making a decision but that doesn’t seem like an option. Other than our families in our ears, we have had a few conversations about this. He says that he doesn’t want to waste my time and feels like he is not good enough for me and he has nothing to show or anything to his name. He says he loves me and wants us to work out but understands that love isn’t enough. I don’t want him to deal with my parents judgements.
Outside of family noise our relationship is great. We have great communication and he brings out the goofy side of me. I feel like I can be my genuine self around him. I love him a lot. He’s truly a caring and loving person . He’s loyal and always makes sure I’m okay. He never makes me feel like he is struggling or anything like that. We currently live together and have no issues with finances. I don’t know what to do.