It's the end of the world (again)

[Alex]

I don't see the college thing as that big of a deal because I don't think parents have any obligation to pay for college.

I'm more impressed that though they've likely been raised with this stuff the kids are independent enough to stand solid and say, essentially, "this is stupid."

But if the worst thing these parents have done is not pay for college, openly believe stupid things, and refuse to make summer vacation plans, then these kids are suffering from first world rich people problems.

[Morrigoon]

Originally Posted by Alex

I don't see the college thing as that big of a deal because I don't think parents have any obligation to pay for college.

That's all fine and dandy, except that the government DOES, so when these kids go to get financial aid, they're going to get screwed over, because part of their award will assume participation by their parents.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

That's all fine and dandy, except that the government DOES, so when these kids go to get financial aid, they're going to get screwed over, because part of their award will assume participation by their parents.

Sucks to be them, life isn't fair, etc. Guess they'll have to get a job and make a plan for how to get the education they want. (Assuming that the parents income, which isn't given in the article, is such that they'd be expected to contribute a significant amount.) Or perhaps they'll get lucky and dad will be so depressed at the continuation of the world that he'll quit his job and have no income at all when it comes time to do FAFSA forms.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

That's all fine and dandy, except that the government DOES, so when these kids go to get financial aid, they're going to get screwed over, because part of their award will assume participation by their parents.

Like thousands of other young adults. My parents didn't contribute one cent to my college education until I was in my late 20s and my mom decided I needed a BA and I said I'd go back if she paid for it but I had no desire to acquire even more student loans. I was hosed because their income was counted, ruling me out of aid.

[cirquelover]

Originally Posted by Alex

I don't see the college thing as that big of a deal because I don't think parents have any obligation to pay for college.

I'm more impressed that though they've likely been raised with this stuff the kids are independent enough to stand solid and say, essentially, "this is stupid."

But if the worst thing these parents have done is not pay for college, openly believe stupid things, and refuse to make summer vacation plans, then these kids are suffering from first world rich people problems.

I think the worst thing these parents did was make their child feel like this;
“I don’t really have any motivation to try to figure out what I want to do anymore,” he said, “because my main support line, my parents, don’t care.”

The fact that they don't really seem to care about the children and they know it, is horrible! It's tough enough being a teen but to have her as the Mom, just WOW! I feel bad for the kids and hope they have a good support system with some other reasonable adults in their lives.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by cirquelover

I think the worst thing these parents did was make their child feel like this;
“I don’t really have any motivation to try to figure out what I want to do anymore,” he said, “because my main support line, my parents, don’t care.”

To a degree I feel sympathy for that. But only to a degree. On the other hand, that reads to me the same as saying "waaah! If someone else won't give it to me, I don't want it."

As for how they're being raised, so long as the parents honestly beleive what they profess I don't really have a problem with it. Kids have had to deal with it through all time. I don't believe in what they believe in so trading educational opportunity in pursuit of needless spiritual salvation seems a horrible trade. But to those who believe, my (theoretical) approach to parenting that would trade spiritual salvation (that I don't believe exists) for an education that won't be needed is equally horrible (and infinitely longer in its impacts).

Now, I've always argued that raising children with religion is a mild form of child abuse. But I've been repeatedly told that this is intolerant of me.