Context: I am a Muslim, doctor who would start her training in the US. I come from a family of doctors (my parents and siblings are doctors). I am the eldest daughter in a South Asian household. I have always been the nerdy, good girl, whose life revolved around making her parents happy. However, this time around last year, I found someone I really liked. I have been in a healthy relationship with him, an engineer, 30M for almost a year now. As a Muslim we strictly follow certain religious boundaries and want to get married now. He works in the US and earns 3x compared to what I will earn in residency.
Relationship details: We have a happy, long-distance relationship with a few arguments here and there which we resolve quickly. Our views on life and kids are similar and over the last 3-4 months we have grown extremely close. We have met in person only once but since then we couldn't spend a single day without face timing each other.
Parents concerns: Around three months ago I told my family about this person I love. They had a lot of concerns.
1- Firstly, him being an engineer is not ideal as a doctor would have a better understanding of my career and job responsibilities. (I did reassure them by saying that as much as I know him, he would be very supportive). Additionay, when I start my attending job I might start earning more than him. And I should marry someone who has more earning potential than I do.
2 - The second concern was that his family doesn't have a similar social status as my family. He has a humble background and his parents haven't received formal education. To make matters worse, his father has a history of illicit drug use. (There is a general belief that sons follow in the footsteps of their fathers). However, his father has been clean for the last 12 years.
3 - Third concern is that we would have to do long-distance for almost three years since my residency is in a different state as his job. After training we might have more flexibility.
I had a lot of long conversations with my family about this. I told them how much I like him, how he is a self-made person, who is doing amazing for himself. He works at a big tech company in the US. He is also literally the kindest person I know.
My parents agree that he is a nice person. But due to societal pressure of the so-called difference in status, they are just not moving forward. They are not ready to talk to his family and make things formal. They just avoid the conversation, saying that I am still very young to get married. I should settle with my job first and then they will think about it. I honestly feel so lonely and depressed, as I am the eldest daughters and have always been the perfect good daughter. But now I have become a rebel.
Advice I need: When giving advice please consider that I come from a conservative and religious household. I love my parents a lot. But now I am growing resentment towards them, because I don't see any reason to not marry this person. I need specific advice on how I should convince my parents. Sometimes I feel like giving up on my love, but I am afraid that I might never be happy again. Sometimes I feel like my parents are right. And maybe he is not right for me. But why does everything make sense with him. If anyone has any success stories with navigating such challenges please let me know. Give the girly a little hope.
TLDR: My parents are passively stopping me from marrying the person I love, because of concerns like a different profession (I am a doctor, he is an engineer) and a difference in social status.