livelihood
n
(usu sing 通常作单数)
(a) means of living; income 生活的手段; 生计; 收入
earn one's livelihood by teaching 靠教书为生
deprive sb of his livelihood 剥夺某人的生计.
(b) way of earning a living; occupation 谋生之道; 职业
Farming is his sole livelihood. 他唯一的谋生之道就是务农.
Thus they lay on hard wooden boards, unable to stand up or move around.
这样,他们就躺在硬木板上,既不能站立起来,也不能活动。
I am sorry that you have a disagreement with your father. Personally, I think it is important to follow your interests and your abilities, and it sounds as though you have plenty of both of these already.