[slavelaboror]

Im just around the corner from turning 30, yet I feel I have noting accomplished in my life. My family owns and runs a small business were I am employed for more then 10 years and get paid in scraps. I feel I do most the hard labor and get rewarded as if I'm expected to do so. My siblings on the other hand act as if the belong to the hilton family. Fancy cars every other year expensive and I mean very expensive clothes, shoes and purses worn or used not more then once, thrown all over there rooms as if it was there sweat and tears work put into the purchase of these items. I, on the other hand make less then a quarter of minimum wage, which gets forgotten about till the income of that month has vanished (other siblings handle accounting). After high school I wanted to go out to get some type of degree but they tricked me and insisted that I would be making the wrong choice. They use lines like "whose business you think this is going to be one day?", and "why do you think were doing all of this?" I feel like I'm trapped with no way out. Yes I'm still stuck living at home and they don't want me to getting moving out either. Feels like they rather see my siblings become these things in life while I get a hand me down of the life they never liked anyway just so they can make sure there well taken care of in the future. Someone please help me. Why am I feeling like I'm being used? Why do I work for nothing? Why is my own family treating me like a slave?

[RatsPatootie]

They are doing this because they can and they don't believe that you can break free and accomplish things on your own. You are staying because you either are afraid of how they'll treat you afterward, afraid of taking risks by striking out on your own, and/or you don't want to upset the current apple cart. By the way, no matter what happens, they'll want to blame it on you. They are CONTROLLING. There's no need for a fight, no yelling, no threats. Scout out a job and a cheap place to live (maybe good room mates) and then just go. Find a life of your own. It's always better to be free. You have a right to a wonderful and fulfilling life but you've got to reach for it. Go back to school if you want more. You can work and go to school - many of us do. Live, learn, love and grow.

[italy2010]

I've been feeling the same way. In this case, it's my mom. It's difficult to breathe and feel she wants to plan and control my whole life. We have a duty to help our parents, but I feel she is taking advantage and is putting all the weight on my shoulders of taking care of her including buying a house and pay for everything. I'm just barely starting.
In relation to not accepting working with my family, I feel they would criticize me and judge me by not accepting. I want to start living and making my own decisions. I haven't been happy lately at all, and constantly feel I'm suffocating. She keeps repeating me that I can back away and now accept. I've already told my uncle yes, and feel it wouldn't be appropriate. But my heart tells me that I should stay where I am and do what I want to do. But then the family would always point me out.

[Fr_Chuck]

If you are employed and are not a owner getting paid profits, they have to pay you min wage even if you are family, so demand to be paid fairly or go find a job somewhere else