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

by Bikram Sinha

Created on: July 11, 2009   Last Updated: July 18, 2009

Yes, parents are justified in pressuring their teenage children to get a college education. We are in the 21st century now. Things have changed a lot than the previous scenario. The opportunities and expectations are more now. So it is very much justified to go and grab those chances and help yourself and your family to spend a better and comfortable life. All parents want their children to become successful and established in life. They want to see their children grow every day and reach a point where their children can run their own life happily. There are few ways to cherish in life but the most common path is to gain a better knowledge through education experience. Education gives the greater gateway to enter the world of competition where people can sustain and elevate through their knowledge, wisdom, intellectuality and confidence. In order to acquire all these four qualities, a higher level of education and knowledge management are extremely necessary. Most of the parents have already gone through these series of fundamental understandings in life, so they can judge better in a more decisive manner than anyone else. They have the right to help their children to follow the path which can be beneficial to the children. If we call it "pressure", I think that is justified.

After passing out the school, many teenagers think that they have attained a great success in life and are ready to rock in life. They started thinking of earning professional experience and making some money. I support that in the sense of self independence. This kind of thought is also crucial for the development of a teenager from beginner to a true professional. I don't deny that many of the teenagers are successful in pursuing this way. But this is not a common and viable path to success in life. Every child should achieve a certain level of higher education within their reach and boundaries.In today's world, we don't follow the monolithic approach of gaining a college degree in only certain specialised areas. There are a number of opportunities in the field of Science, Technology, Arts, Business, Commerce and Professional studies fields. Even a lot of counselling experts/professionals are available in the market to guide and pursue the right and correct college degree for the individuals. Many parents do collect this information and try to help their children to go for the college education. Most of them know the pain and sufferings of leaving education at the early stage.They have the experience. So it is very obvious that many parents force their children to go for a college degree. I don't see contradicting arguments to be raised against this act. A higher education not only gives a better chance, but also teaches the essence of a fruitful thought process, improves self confidence and extends the knowledge boundaries. All these three elements are truly essential in future life.

But I want to mention some other probable facts also. Parents should also understand and support their children's feeling and thoughts. If a teenage child wants to pursue in some other area of interest after the high school instead of going to a full time college education, parents should find alternative options like part time college, online education. There are plenty of alternative opportunities in today's world. So this is a mutual and collaborative effort and understanding from both parents and children to work out the educational path after the high school to make sure both are on the same track and realize the goal. This is not a question of over burdening on the children by the parents, it is about the healthy and happy lives of the children which can be seen and visualized by their own parents only.

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