How Parents Influence Their Children's Education

Do You Push College More on Your Kid Than Your Parents Did?

September 3, 2010

There are parents that picture their babe in cap and gown the moment he's born. There are also moms and dads who don't think about college until their teen fills out the admission papers. In some families, a child is expected to become a legacy at the university generations have attended. Then there are graduates who become the first of their relatives to earn a diploma. Parents have an enormous amount of influence on their children's education. Were your parents more or less intent than you are about your youngster getting his degree?

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7 Comments

2 years 36 weeks

For my children it's similar to to comment #2. My husband went on to further education and is working in the field he trained and loving it! (most days, but we all have our bad days) I also went on to further education and haven't done anything with it since. I did it because that's what was expected of my from my family. I did the particular training because I was following in my Dad's path. It's not that I hate the job or anything, but it really was never something that I loved and wanted to do long term. I don't see anything wrong with further education if it's something you love, but I also don't think you should do something just to please someone else. There are lots of jobs out there that do not require further education, and there's nothing wrong with them. If everyone went on to that, there would be no restaurants, retail stores, mail or package delivery or many other things. All very important jobs and people that help keep everyone else going.

runningesq 2 years 36 weeks

lawchick: I didn't know you were pregnant - congratulations! :)

lawchick 2 years 36 weeks

LOL my post is full of grammatical errors - guess college doesn't teach you everything :) or can I just blame that on preggo brain??

lawchick 2 years 36 weeks

I had the same experience as running. My dad was an MD and my mom a PhD, so I grew up thinking college was not optional. It wasn't based on anything they said, though. They would've been ok if I hasn't gone to college. I was saw the usual path of all of those around us (go to college, get married, have a kid) and followed it. I think my husband and I would be ok with our child not going to college, but our child probably will for the same reason we did -- it was just the "norm" in our worlds (husband's parents are both PhDs).

lawchick 2 years 36 weeks

I had the same experience as running. My dad was an MD and my mom a PhD, so I grew up thinking college was not optional. It wasn't based on anything they said, though. They would've been ok if I hasn't gone to college. I was saw the usual path of all of those around us (go to college, get married, have a kid) and followed it.I think my husband and I would be ok with our child not going to college, but our child probably will for the same reason we did -- it was just the "norm" in our worlds (husband's parents are both PhDs).

2 years 36 weeks

There's no "no" option for me. My parents didn't insist on it and neither do we. They know the importance of it, but also know that if they choose not to, it's their life and they're not disappointing us. They know both "outcomes" through me and my husband, since I didn't go to college and couldn't be happier with my life, and my husband has his doctorate and wouldn't have it any other way.

runningesq 2 years 36 weeks

My parents didn't really insist on college - it was just sort of something I grew up knowing: I'd graduate from high school and go to college. I was very fortunante that they had saved/ invested and paid for my education (both undergradate and law school).

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