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Your (hypothetical) child and education poll (Poll Stolen from MM)
I saw this poll this weekend on MM and I thought that the thread was interesting. The question was:
If you have a child (or could imagine yourself being a parent) what would be your expectation for the MINIMUM level of education that he/she should receive?
This is not your expectation for all children---just your own. This is also not about what your child wants, so don't answer "whatever makes them the happiest." This is, in your own head, what level of education would your child need to attain for you to feel like you were successful as a parent in terms of your child's education?
I was a bit surprised by the answers. I guess I am going to be a horrible parent because as long as my kid is happy, a good person, and can pay his or her bills then I would be okay with them not going to colleg. Granted, higher education usually opens more doors for you but I dont think college is for everyone and it doest guarantee you a job.
Also, people thought it was important for their kids to study business or something "practical." I dont know about them but in my case my parents had no say over my major. I think some people are going to be disappointed in the future when their kid wants to be a singer or an actor.
http://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/60599347.aspx
Re: Your (hypothetical) child and education poll (Poll Stolen from MM)
I struggle with this question, actually. I think my minimum requirement would be either a Bachelor's or education from a vocational school...something more than a high school diploma.
That being said...I have 4 degrees (two bachelor's, a master's and a law degree), and DH only has a bachelor's degree...and he is FAR more successful than I will ever be, so clearly the degrees aren't everything.
I saw this too.
I said at least a Vocational school, trade school, etc. The kid would need more than HS, but not everyone needs a college Degree. Maybe an Associates, to help with accounting,speech, business writing classes (even a plumber needs to present themselves well to a boss/client)
Okay you are right about the question. In this situation, it doesnt matter what your child wants. However, I dont think higher education=successful parenting. I think it is way more important how my child treats other people and if they are generally nice people.
I have strong views on this as I was pressured to go to college and then was supremely unsuccessful at it at first. I think it's terrible how much pressure is put on kids now to go to university. I would expect my children to be self-sufficient and that's it (I think DH would expect a bachelor's degree or equivelent vocational training). Honestly, if my future children can find a way to support themselves without the burden of school loans, that's awesome and I will congratulate them!
Graduating high school isn't optional though.
I think I would encourage my children to travel more and experience more than I did - I lived in the same place practically my whole life and then commuted for my freshman year of uni. I didn't know anything about the world at all until I finally got out of my hometown at 19.
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Me too.
I want him to graduate from high school, or whatever it's called here, move out, and then move on to, and complete, something. Trade school, an apprenticeship, a traditional university, whatever.
This
They need, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree with a clear purpose. It is cool if they want to get more than one bachelor's degree, including one with a more ambiguous purpose, but I think that it is important to have one that has a specific use like nursing, engineering, teaching, etc.
ETA: I say this because I have watched some people close to me struggle with applying degrees that did not have a distinct purpose, not because I think there is anything wrong with those degrees.
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Both DH and I will insist on some sort of post secondary education, be it university, college, apprenticeship, whatever suits their career choice best.
Happiness of the child or not, graduating secondary school will not be optional.
Yeah so if you asked me this question when I was in HS or college I would have said I BA/BS for sure. Now I think it depends on the kid.
I know so many people who don't use their degree and wasted so much money in college. I have friends who went to college majored in things which do not generally get you a job then went back to school for things like hair dressing, massage therapy, and pastry chef and are much happier and are making more money.
Also as a sped teacher I now know that it's redic. to expect all children to get outstanding grades and go to college. Many work well with their hands for example and will do well, but academic life is too difficult.
I would much rather have a happy and successful child in their chosen profession than a kid with a useless degree b/c they felt they HAD to go to college. Plus then they are strapped with debt.
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This, exactly. Although, I don't think DH would be too happy if our hypothetical kids decided to be an artist or something like that.
I'm from a family where not going to college really wasn't an option but DB broke the mold and dropped out of high school his senior year, choosing to graduate later with an alternative program to get his last English credit. DB is exponentially smarter and harder working than I am. The only problem, which he has recognized, is that he depends on his body to work (he's a true Jack of All Trades) and when that force is gone he's really going to have to rethink his plan of attack. Both he and his wife didn't go to university and they're doing just fine.
I'm the only woman in DH's family who has a higher education degree, although his cousin is working on one.
I'd be happy with future children graduating from high school and going on to do something they love that they're successful at. I've seen a lot of fairly incompetent college grads. If FC choose to work, I would suggest but wouldn't push trade school. I've seen how much DB has learned from working.
I sort of hope my children will consider boarding school for at least part of their secondary education. I was very lucky to have studied away from home for my junior and senior years and I really think it ended up being my key to success in university. I was really just on auto-pilot at my home high school and know that I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for the major decision I made when I was 16.
This exactly. I want my children to have some sort certification saying that they can do _________ and do it well enough to be recognized by a respected institution.
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I like the idea of my child going to college mainly because I want her to have the whole college experience. Besides the education, I think the time I spent at college helped me learn to navigate the world on my own and to become an adult.
However, I really don't care what she wants to study or become as a profession. I think I might discourage her from going to law school just because I know so many disgruntled/underemployed lawyers and law school is so pricey. But, if DD was convinced she was going to be the next Attorney General, I don't know how much I would argue with her or dissuade her from law school. I don't think I would pay for it, though.