105 replies to this topic

[chris v]

There is a certain point though where pushing kids is to much and it's a really fine line. I've seen it firsthand. 2 kids at the top of their class, graduating with full scholarships, commiting suicide in the last month of school because of parental pressures and nothing ever being good enough.

[palango]

That's not necessarily true. Although I was a stellar student, graduated at the top of my class, and was accepted to UC Davis, the bottom line was I couldn't afford it, and because I had a wealthy absentee father, I didn't qualify for financial aid.
So, I quit school buried in debt, and entered the work force at 19 years old. While I used to always dread the question about my degree (or lack thereof), I learned quickly that I needed to work hard and smart, and it's paid off well The fact that I don't have a degree has not factored into my employability or promotability.
(I love those conversations I happen upon here at work where a group is talking about where they earned their doctorate, their second master's etc, and when asked, I say proudly, "I have a high school diploma.")
While I would love for my kids to go to college, the fact is, that may not be the choice that they make. I'm certainly encouraging that route, but I acknowledge it's not the only route.

Again. Great for you, but look at the trends. Can you honestly say that a child born in 2007 and fast forward to 2037 has no college degree is at a competitive advantage??/ Especially in this ever increasing global market with the economies of India and China booming, it is absolutely imperative for that child to COMPETE. Its all about competition. The US will have no choice but to import doctors, engineers, nurses and other professionals OR send some of those jobs overseas because of supply and demand.

[palango]

There is a certain point though where pushing kids is to much and it's a really fine line. I've seen it firsthand. 2 kids at the top of their class, graduating with full scholarships, commiting suicide in the last month of school because of parental pressures and nothing ever being good enough.

agreed, but when is the last time you have heard of a FIRST generation child of a professional immigrant with the above scenario??

[EDH Jen]

Again. Great for you, but look at the trends. Can you honestly say that a child born in 2007 and fast forward to 2037 has no college degree is at a competitive advantage??/ Especially in this ever increasing global market with the economies of India and China booming, it is absolutely imperative for that child to COMPETE. Its all about competition. The US will have no choice but to import doctors, engineers, nurses and other professionals OR send some of those jobs overseas because of supply and demand.

What I'm saying is, there's a lot more to it than just having a degree. Clearly degreed persons had no competitive advantage over me. It's called work-ethic, which they don't teach in college.
Hate to play this card (at the risk of offending many) but English speaking persons would always rather deal with other English speaking persons. Call any off-shore customer service center and disagree with me.

[mylo]

agreed, but when is the last time you have heard of a FIRST generation child of a professional immigrant with the above scenario??

First generation child of an immigrant committing suicide? I've seen that. In fact, I think the only student suicides I know were of foreign decent.

[stacycam]

The problem is that you need a degree to get in the door in order to show your work ethic. I know when we were recently hiring, one of the selection criterion was possession of a degree. If they had years of great experience, that helped, but nobody with just a few years of experience with no degree was considered.

I'm not saying I necessarily agree, I'm just saying that's the way it is. Something about having a degree shows you can start and finish something.

I think kids have it tough these days. There is a lot of competition and it just keeps getting tougher.

[chris v]

agreed, but when is the last time you have heard of a FIRST generation child of a professional immigrant with the above scenario??

Actually, they were both asain immigrants...

[EDH Jen]

Actually, they were both asain immigrants...

I had this same experience - Laotian and Vietnamese. The pressue to succeed was more than they could bear.

[palango]

Actually, they were both asain immigrants...

I stand corrected then.

[palango]

What I'm saying is, there's a lot more to it than just having a degree. Clearly degreed persons had no competitive advantage over me. It's called work-ethic, which they don't teach in college.
Hate to play this card (at the risk of offending many) but English speaking persons would always rather deal with other English speaking persons. Call any off-shore customer service center and disagree with me.

In this age of global economy, you still have not answered my questin??? Will a child with a college degree in 2037 have little or no cometitive advantage over the same adult in 2037 when it comes to "trends"???

My whole premise or the core of my argument is about Competition, Capitalism, and the Global market. Now I could be waaaaay wrong on this, but can someone claim that just because here in 2008 they have a GREAT life without a college degree will be the same case in 2037???

Look at the FUTURE trends people. Start reading the statistics. Stats and trends are not always wrong just because you are the exception.

Life and economy DOES revolve outside Folsom/EDH and CA when it comes to the futures of your children.

[chris v]

It is impossible to say what will happen. What I hope happens, is we all get our heads out of our a$$es and bring the jobs back here. I'm sick of $hitty chinese products inundating our market and passed off as good. They either have a long way to come or we need some realization that their stuff is junk.

[EDH Jen]

In this age of global economy, you still have not answered my questin??? Will a child with a college degree in 2037 have little or no cometitive advantage over the same adult in 2037 when it comes to "trends"???

My whole premise or the core of my argument is about Competition, Capitalism, and the Global market. Now I could be waaaaay wrong on this, but can someone claim that just because here in 2008 they have a GREAT life without a college degree will be the same case in 2037???

Look at the FUTURE trends people. Start reading the statistics. Stats and trends are not always wrong just because you are the exception.

Life and economy DOES revolve outside Folsom/EDH and CA when it comes to the futures of your children.

I'm not willing to stress my kids out about a global economy. I don't argue that a degree helps you get in the door, but it doesn't keep you there. I honestly don't care about trends and statistics. Things change, things stay the same, but work-ethic will always trump a degree. Happy, healthy kids is my first priority. Everything else will fall into place, in God's perfect time.

[palango]

I'm not willing to stress my kids out about a global economy. I don't argue that a degree helps you get in the door, but it doesn't keep you there. I honestly don't care about trends and statistics. Things change, things stay the same, but work-ethic will always trump a degree. Happy, healthy kids is my first priority. Everything else will fall into place, in God's perfect time.

Great points. I agree with work ethic 100%, but I disagree with anyone who does not believe that the global economy is a HUGE HUGE issue. The rapid growing Chnese and Indian markets along with the Europpean sector will dictate where the jobs and the US economy will go towards.

In addition, if you do not already have $$$ where you can fund his/her service business for seniors , your child will be at a HUGE disadvantage if they do not go to college. They will blame you for not steering them towards the right direction. A college degree is the great equalizer. Case in point, take a look at one of the most inspiring stories of this generation. Dr. Ben Carson. Takea look at the background and where he came from. He had a great work ethic and huge ambition, but without his degree, where would he be now????

http://en.wikipedia....wiki/Ben_Carson

We live in a society where trash like Britney Spears and Hanna Montana are getting looked up to versus TRUE heroes such as Dr Carson.

Some of you folks do have a great point about work ethic and how your lives are sooo great without that stupid peice of paper in 2008, BUT I also think that if you dismiss the trends of the future, you are doing a HUGE disservice to your children. If you pay for $500 for a hana Monta concert and not teach them @ home about great people like Dr. Ben carson and his determination, work ethic, and EDUCATION, then you are clueless and lack the values necessary for your children to THRIVE in the future.

[EDH Jen]

Great points. I agree with work ethic 100%, but I disagree with anyone who does not believe that the global economy is a HUGE HUGE issue. The rapid growing Chnese and Indian markets along with the Europpean sector will dictate where the jobs and the US economy will go towards.

In addition, if you do not already have $$$ where you can fund his/her service business for seniors , your child will be at a HUGE disadvantage if they do not go to college. They will blame you for not steering them towards the right direction. A college degree is the great equalizer. Case in point, take a look at one of the most inspiring stories of this generation. Dr. Ben Carson. Takea look at the background and where he came from. He had a great work ethic and huge ambition, but without his degree, where would he be now????

http://en.wikipedia....wiki/Ben_Carson

We live in a society where trash like Britney Spears and Hanna Montana are getting looked up to versus TRUE heroes such as Dr Carson.

Some of you folks do have a great point about work ethic and how your lives are sooo great without that stupid peice of paper in 2008, BUT I also think that if you dismiss the trends of the future, you are doing a HUGE disservice to your children. If you pay for $500 for a hana Monta concert and not teach them @ home about great people like Dr. Ben carson and his determination, work ethic, and EDUCATION, then you are clueless and lack the values necessary for your children to THRIVE in the future.

I've read 'The Big Picture'. Fabulous book. Fabulous human being.
Palango, both of my kids know that if they choose college, it is paid for and I will suppport them throughout. I cannot, however, make that choice for them. End of story.
I know from prior posts that your children are significantly younger than mine. Come back and have this conversation with me about 'steering' and 'blame' when they're teenagers. We'll have a good laugh about it.

[palango]

I know from prior posts that your children are significantly younger than mine. Come back and have this conversation with me about 'steering' and 'blame' when they're teenagers. We'll have a good laugh about it.

You are sooo right about this. Out of everything else you have told me, this will resonate the greatest. You watch.....lol

My 2 kids will be an American Idol rejects wanna be a singer and the other an athelete that is not god enough and holding 3 jobs. Both with no degrees...
Life is kind of funny and the older I get, the more I realize that things I am passionate about , especially when it comes to my kids, may not happen. I have been taught some great lessons about parenthood and folks have laughed let me tell you.
Life will always throw you a curveball and I hope you are still around and myfolsom is still around so we can all have a good laugh about this.