Dear Zahan.

If I had to make a choice between research and family, then I would choice family. However, this is not necessarily an either/or question because we can reconcile family and research. So, it is possible to be a good parent and have a sound career in research.

I know of many people who were/are wonderful parents and brilliant researchers. Our children often feel good and happy for seeing that their parents' research contributed to the existence of a better world, the advance of knowledge, and a better knowledge of the unknown.

So, there can be occasions on which family and research go well with each other. But I also know of broken families because they were not to reconcile family and research.

Kind regards,

Orlando

I think that the biggest challenges are at the beginning of an academic career, specially when the PhD is done. Here many families are severely tested. Once this often difficult times has been done people getting more relaxed, gather experience and the need to decide between family and research becomes smaller.

Research is not compulsory/mandatory to any one life for job opportunity. It comes based on interest with dedication in the desired field of science and engineering. Hence, one should give importance to research only.

I agree that nobody has to do research, but in case someone wishes then we can identify challenges to successful, pain-free research and here I would claim that there often is a gender issue, disadvantaging in particular women who have families.

Dear Eberhard Weber

In case of gender issue, I partly agree with you. As a citizen of a developing country, I saw suffering of both male and women researchers. Specially, researcher with working wife and school going kids suffers lot due to absence of social security.

Family first and research is second. One should find hir/her time for research. But that depends upon the passion.

Dear Ranjan Kumar Mohapatra Thanks

the problem II see in Asian Countries is the Social Bias is a FOR Becoming a good Academic (the Older generation seem to Value a Professorshipor Research B.Sc.

Problems come when one has to balance family life at the same time trying to figure out WHAT research is all about, AND to do the Teaching or Other BIZ activities to Earn the "Daily Bread" for the Family.

Maybe, Back to the Pickle Jar theory after all.

the problem II see in Asian Countries is the Social Bias is a FOR Becoming a good Academic (the Older generation seem to Value a Lesser Income JUNIOR "Professorship", without telling you where the Money to start a Family should come from.)

So, Rule No.1 IF you are from an Asian Country (Traditional Hindu, Buddhist, etc where Only the COVER is Hindu, Buddhist, but the Skeleton is a Worship of Western Academic Values above all else). - First do you Own Career Path research, and then if Only necessary, debate it with the elders.

valuable information Ravi Madanayake

If you have supportive family , the balance will come onits own

I agree that nobody has to do research, but in case someone wishes then we can identify challenges to successful, pain-free research and here I would claim that there often is a gender issue, disadvantaging in particular women who have families.

....... disadvantaging in particular women who have families. What about man who have family, Sir Eberhard Weber

Family

family is the first priority because we have do our research for our family only or our own interest

Thanks all for your valuable comments. Take care of your family members.

Yes Sir, I think it is possible to be a good parent and have a sound career in research. Obviously, we should give first priority to our family. After giving proper time to our family, If we become more sincere and dedicated to our research (for the rest time) In-sah-Allah we shall achieve sound career in research.

Thanks all for your valuable comments Md. Nur Amin Bitu

You are most welcome sir.

I give the priority to the most need of me. But, if both need me I prefer my family.

Dear Sir, I think sound research lies in sound mind and obviously family is a big factor for having sound mind. So according to my sense, first preference should be family, then research. Md.Kudrat-E- Zahan Sir

Thanks for your adorable compliments Md Nuruzzaman Khan Osayed Sayed Mohamed Abu-Elyazeed