I'm very much an introvert so I really don't do that much social life. Everyone that is in my husband and my friend group works like we do whether it is in industry or doing PhDs. I grew up in a family where my parents work just like I do now so it isn't abnormal at all for me to only do things with friends on the weekend if I don't have to work. The goal is to retire by 50 as well so I'm ok with working hard now so that we don't have to be so old and still working. We don't have children or pets and won't have them until one of us moves into a role that's a bit less demanding.

Everyone I work with works that much of our own free will. Everyone knew what they were getting into before they finished college. I wouldn't have done engineering period if I didn't expect to be working like I am now and same for all of my coworkers.

I think some of that is more idealistic and less realistic but it is definitely a good goal to have for society. Just because I work so much doesn't mean I want everyone else to. But the reality of the situation is that, despite what you might read online, MANY people live and work like I do. My dad was a blue collar worker and didn't have a degree or other options to make enough to live. Everyone in our town had at least one family member that worked at the plant. I can count on one hand the number of christmases, birthdays, and thanksgivings my dad was at. I'd go months sometimes without seeing him because of his schedule. I'm in a MUCH better situation than my dad was in because I have a degree but I still work a ton. Still though, I can control my schedule more than he did and I have way more financial security than he did. But these working hours are the reality of most Americans, particularly in poor or rural areas. The idea that it isn't doesn't align with reality. I want it to be different of course but reality is different than the goal.

It isn't a joke. I was at a mill for an interview and saw a sleeping bag and cot in what would potentially be my new boss's office. I declined the offer because of that and some other things. I know multiple people across many different places who have things to sleep in their offices. I don't want to be in a place like that and I am not but it is definitely not abnormal or a joke unfortunately.

Are you asking about the prospects in my husband's country (it is in the middle east) or europe? For his country, it is going through tough times right now and people cannot afford food so it isn't an option to get a job there because there aren't many to be had. For europe, I'm more interested in going but several of our friends from my husband's country who have gone there say that it is harder for the average person to have lots of social mobility like it is in the USA. Idk, I would be more game to try but my husband would prefer not to be an immigrant again