Here is my take on excessive work expectations. If that is the example you want to set for your children and expresses your values, i.e. your work is the most important thing in life and all else including family is peripheral, then you should work 80+ hours. However don't be surprised when your children have the same values and don't have time for you. If your company sees you as a resource to be consumed and then discarded for the newer/cheaper model then you may be in the right field. If you are single and want the challenge then work is like a drug, intoxicating for the knowledge and accomplishment. When you are married then perhaps life has other meanings, watching your children grow is exciting. I have been on both sides of this spectrum, when I was single the most excitement, all of my friends, my world revolved around work. When I got married and had children I realized that there was more to life and my values have changed. I'm not saying either lifestyle is the best, just works best for me. The hard part is the interaction between the hardcode work people and the hardcore humans, conflicting values. Mike mmcfadden(a)cmh.edu