Are parents justified in pressuring their teenage children to get a college education?

by Missy Dickerson

Created on: July 11, 2009   Last Updated: July 13, 2009

Education is the key to a successful and fulfilling life. The importance of an education is learned at a very early age whether the child is aware of it or not. Through the course of the child's growth, the parents play an intricate role in their development which carries through their adulthood. Children use education to advance through every stage they encounter.

Although each stage is achieved differently, the child is still acquiring new skills directly from some form of education while their parents are there to support and guide them. When a child learns to walk, for example, he educates himself by watching others and receiving support and guidance from his parents. If it's a parent's responsibility to be strict while teaching their children to eat right, go to school, study hard, have good work ethics, and save their money, then why is sternly instructing your child to get a higher education called "pressuring?" Why should having a strong hand about college be any different than coaching your child to save money or to manage their time appropriately? Parents should educate, be unyielding and expect their children to achieve higher levels of education because it makes them successful in adulthood.

Some individuals believe that "pressuring" kids to further their education is unfair to the child. They believe that putting too much pressure on children to get a higher education causes unnecessary stress and psychological strain on the child. Those parents should be aware that being strict with your child about receiving an education is not "pressure," but a parent's responsibility. Although the child may see your unwavering attitude about college as pressure, eventually, as they mature, they will embrace the idea of an educated freedom. Being stringent with your child about a higher education won't harm them physically or mentally if the parent is firm, supportive and encouraging.

Graduating from high school is a stressful time because the child is suddenly thrust into making adult decisions such as getting a college degree. However, it's the parents responsibility to offer that child the proper resources and to teach the child stress management techniques to lessen the stress and pressure of getting a college degree. As a matter of fact, the child will face supplementary stress and psychological damage if the child enters into society unprepared educationally. In today's society with all of the technological advances that are occurring daily, a higher

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