hikids

Don't think S or D were intimidated in anyway. Parents PhD's taught at ivies, both kids ended up at ivies. S in dual degree one of which in same field. I am guessing it depends on the kids, parents and situation.

Myarmin

I'm intimidated by my father, who didn't even get a four-year degree. He has other personal qualities that I could never measure up to, but in terms of academics:

He's an engineer (used to do stuff with automation), and I'm studying at an engineering college. He wanted me to study either computer science or electrical/computer engineering, since both involved developing highly desirable skill sets. So, I tried a course in each. But I quickly realized that I have absolutely no aptitude for either.

I told him earlier in the semester that I was struggling, and that I'd probably end up doing mechanical engineering. He sounded surprised that I was having problems, and said I should avoid mechanical engineering since it's becoming a more stagnant field, and because it would be better for me to have CS skills and stuff.

I've never felt pressured by him, but all the sudden I'm feeling like I'm not quite meeting his expectations. He probably feels that if he can do it, I should be able to do it too. Maybe I'm just too easily discouraged, but to be honest I'm afraid of falling short of his expectations if I go into CS or ECE. And frankly, I don't think I'm really smart enough to be a good programmer, and I'm just not really an E&M person.

I've been given a much greater academic opportunity than my dad was. He tells me I have a promising future. But I'm not sure that I'll be able to live up to it. I *should* be able to do well in CS/ECE, but, for some reason, I kind of suck at things like that. But I've pretty much decided on mechE now, and I'll probably enjoy it and be good at it.

great lakes mom

I'd think there can be vastly different messages from brilliant parents, depending on the amount of interest in the next generation. My dad was exceptionally intelligent as well successful without looking as if he was trying very hard. An incredible intellect as well, with myriad interests that he followed with great dicipline. I was never seen as having much promise and others were mostly an audience for his accomplishments. He was a great example of someone who lived a very interesting life, and some of that rubbed off. But there was little interest in his kids and their paths. As recent research on Aspergers has come to light, I've realized that some of those patterns have been part of my family, perhaps for generations. Perhaps I'm not the only one whose family has been touched by both brilliance and Aspergers.

As I've gotten older, I've come to see that maybe I'm not so dumb after all. But I grew up in a different age and time, with perhaps my own set of neurological and socioeconomic issues that kept me from his level of accomplishment.

Treetopleaf

Myramin, Einstein's son became a professor of ME...