"Family, especially an SO, to an extent looks up to you based on your success, typically, and more importantly, counts on your (e.g., financial) success. If you

"Family, especially an SO, to an extent looks up to you based on your success, typically, and more importantly, counts on your (e.g., financial) success. If you lived in the now and didn't succeed career-wise or financially, your SO probably would've left you long time ago, and you wouldn't have a family to begin with." Jeepers, I really disagree with this and I hope it has not been your life experience. We're happy nobodies; we settled for modest jobs with modest incomes, limited hours, and good family time. We both contribute financially and have stability if not super-duper success. And I am certain neither of us "looks up to" the other in any way based on financial or career success.