S/O Do you think your children-college

MrsSR

Do you think your children will obtain a higher degree than you?  Do you think it's true when they say children want higher degrees than their parents?

Wufroggy79

I have a Masters and H has his law degree.  I hope that DD will at least aspire to go to graduate school if her career choice would benefit from it.

Daniellekrista

It depends on their aptitude and personality. If LO wants to be a plumber, that's fine. If he wants to have a career in the military, that's fine. If he wants a doctorate, that's fine.

Wufroggy79

Scout2005:

I have my BS and DH has a Masters.

Although this is something of a controversial opinion here on Parenting, I hope and frankly expect both of my kids to complete a four year college degree. Beyond that depends on their career choices, obviously.

 

Agreed.  College is 110% expected for DD from both of us.  

klondikebar

Scout2005:

I have my BS and DH has a Masters.

Although this is something of a controversial opinion here on Parenting, I hope and frankly expect both of my kids to complete a four year college degree. Beyond that depends on their career choices, obviously.

 

Same here. I have my M.B.A. and DH has a Ph.D, so I don't expect them to get a Ph.D. or two. DH's career path required his education level.

whatthehey

We both have Masters degrees.

I feel that a Masters is rapidly becoming as common as a bachelors. I guess, I think she will, but it would depend on her field of study.

[Deleted User]

Scout2005:

Although this is something of a controversial opinion here on Parenting, I hope and frankly expect both of my kids to complete a four year college degree. Beyond that depends on their career choices, obviously.

Me too.  If she wants to pursue a trade or be in a band or be a SAHM, that's great, but I hope/want/maybe expect her to reach that conclusion knowing that she's educated and has options.  And going to college isn't just about a career.  I want her to be a challenged, interesting, well-rounded person.

amberdl28

I fully expect my children to get their Bachelors degree. I eventually want my masters so if they want to obtain an Ph.D. or another higher degree then they surpass me.

I dont know about the children wanting a higher degree then their parents. I know for me I was going to go to college and get a degree because my parents didnt finish high school and struggled most of their lives.

saraboston

I have a master's and am seriously considering a second. H has a master's and his PhD (separate fields). We expect DD to get at least a master's.

missmuffin87

Unfortunately I think by the time our kids are college age a bachelors will be expected (like a high school diploma is now) and you will have to get a masters if you want a decent job.

There's no way I'll be able to pay for all that school though, especially at the rate tuition costs are rising. I think she will get her bachelors (which she will most likely have to pay for at least some of herself) and then the rest will be her decision. 

ridesbuttons

Not concerned but so long as they complete a post secondary program I will be happy.  Apprenticeship for a skilled trade included/encouraged.

tarebear9891

Again I think it depends on what they do. My husband and I do not have degrees yet, I'm working on my bachelors for nursing. DH also is well paid in a good job without a degree, but I think that will be almost unheard of by the time our children are grown. I have even been trying to get my DH used to the idea of completing a bachelors once I'm out of school.

When it comes down to it, yes I want my kids I go higher than we did. So they don't have to struggle the way we do.

quidditchcapn1120

My husband did not attend college.  I have attended post-secondary education for going on 10 years.  I hope he does something in between, but college is 100% expected in this household for our children.  My DH has always regretted not getting an education and he hopes for more for his children.  

CopperT0p

I have a B.Eng and SO has his Masters of Engineering, and he regrets ever getting his Masters.  If L wanted to get his Masters or higher degree we'd support him but definitely discuss why he'd want it and if it was useful in his field/desired career path. 

maddie789

At least a Bachelors degree will be highly encouraged in this household. It is hard saying what the standard will be in 18 years, but DH and I both have our Bachelors degree and I hope that DS will want at least the same. 

penguingrrl

I hope they find a steady path that makes them happy and allows them financial independence. Whether they achieve that through academics is up to them. My brother is a full time karate instructor and is so happy. He has benefits through work and is able to support himself and has no student debt since he never went to college and instead followed his passion (he has loved all branches of martial arts since he was 4 or 5 years old). And a cousin of mine went to culinary school and is a successful chef in Manhattan. I think college is great if that's the path that works for you, but I strongly support other paths as well.

That said, as the wife of a soon to be PhD who hopes to be a professor following his postdoc, I would be very proud if one of our children followed their father's footsteps and got a doctorate.

jessicaclare

ridesbuttons:

Not concerned but so long as they complete a post secondary program I will be happy.  Apprenticeship for a skilled trade included/encouraged.

Ditto.

I wonder how things are going to be in regard to the whole "bachelors is the new diploma" thing when our kids are at that age. While a degree is certainly very important for a lot of fields, I'm not sure 4 years of screwing off instead of working is necessarily beneficial to everyone (not that all people with a bachelor's screw off, just those kids that don't seem to care and still don't care after)

sunandsand

I definitely won't force it. DH and I both went to college but don't even have a bachelors...neither of our jobs need a degree and we both love our jobs. We're not rich but we're comfortable.  

 

shortstuff15

jessicaclare:

ridesbuttons:

Not concerned but so long as they complete a post secondary program I will be happy.  Apprenticeship for a skilled trade included/encouraged.

Ditto.

I wonder how things are going to be in regard to the whole "bachelors is the new diploma" thing when our kids are at that age. While a degree is certainly very important for a lot of fields, I'm not sure 4 years of screwing off instead of working is necessarily beneficial to everyone (not that all people with a bachelor's screw off, just those kids that don't seem to care and still don't care after)

Ditto here too. 

If my parents had forced my brother to complete any sort of post-secondary school it would have been a huge waste of time and money.  He went to a local college for a semester and then left and got his journeyman mechanic and LOVES his job and his career.  No need to have a bachelors degree or any sort of college education for that. 

So yeah, I will encourage my kids to do whatever schooling they feel is necessary for their career path whether that be a bachelors, masters, doctorate, apprenticeship/trade, whatever.

Jen&Len

I think that depends on what career path they would like to follow.  I have doctorate, but it's a requirement in my field.  I do expect them to finish college and preferably some sort of graduate degree.  I feel like things are getting so competitive that the more you have, the easier it is for you to find a job.

2lovelyboys

As long as they are successful and are financially secure I will happy.  I would love for them to obtain a degree but if they go into a trade where it's not needed, then I'm fine with that too.  I hate to make it mandatory for them and push it, and for them to only attend to make us proud and really hate it inside -- that  is not something I'd want for them.  As above poster commented about her brother with martical arts.  He has no loans and can support himself and is HAPPY -- to me that means more than a degree.  PS.  I do have an Assoc and am not working towards a nursing degree to believe me, I am all for degrees but again, not something I would "make" my child do.  I would really try to be positive about it with them and hope they do.

2lovelyboys

Oops, meant to say I have an Associates degree and am working towards a nursing degree.  Sorry for my typos!

LadyXaverian

I've never heard that "children want higher degrees than their parents". I have heard that parents want their children to do better than they did. In that regards, it is my hope that she will acheive (at least) the same level of education as her parents. I have 2 Bachelors degrees and hope to pursue my Masters at some point. My husband has 2 Bachelors and a Masters.

I guess what it really boils down to is that I hope she will pursue an educational path that will allow her to be happy, successful, and financially stable.