Parents pressuring sister to major in "something useful".

compmom
Tue, 22 Jun 2010 09:46:46 +0000

Since the matter of exploring liberal arts versus preparing for a career has not been fully resolved, I would propose one more idea, that might satisfy everyone in the family: maybe encourage your sister to apply to schools that offer internships as part of the academic year.

On the East Coast, this would include schools as varied as Northeastern, Bennington, Endicott, Clark and Goucher. Paying for these privates can be costly, but aid is often available.

It can be a mistake to pursue a hobby interest that one uses to relax, in a more serious, career-building way. I loved to bake until I started selling my bagels in stores!

Leaving home and going to a smallish school that allows for exploration may help this girl blossom, or a larger school that can be experienced in smaller, broken down communities.

Most of all, this family needs to believe in this child/sibling. The lack of confidence that fairly oozes from the OP’s posts would defeat anyone.

It would be great if this family, apparently new to the US, could understand that the values are quite different here, and that exploring and individualism are still highly esteemed in our culture, at least in some sectors, despite financial pressures. As someone said, it may take a generation or so to get this through to the family culture.

And, as many of us have noted, the US educational culture is itself moving more toward pragmatism and careerism, a shift that may not be totally healthy, but one that is probably not going to be reversed.