These young pioneers, the first in their families in college, speak out about who they are, where they come from and the income inequality on campus.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/12/education/edlife/first-generation-students-unite.html
It saddens me that these students are ashamed of their backgrounds.
I was a first-generation college student, and although that caused me some difficulties (mostly connected with my unfamiliarity with how college worked), I was never ashamed. I felt out of place at first, but soon I found others like me, who became my friends through college and beyond.
But perhaps it helped that I was at a college not quite as prestigious as those discussed in the article.
I wish they had an article for parents of first gen kids.
I’m so proud of my kids, but I also feel that we ( especially me) are a a disappointment, and they resent starting out at such a disadvantage from their peers.
I could be hypersensitive though.
I am not ashamed of my background. Even though my parents are not college-educated, they are some of the smartest and most hardworking people I’ve ever met. They fostered a love of learning in me even if they couldn’t help me with the ins and outs of the college things.