My daughter says it is my duty to pay for university. Do you agree?

Question

I have three other daughters who want to go to college as well. I think they should work part-time and help out.

Answer 1

No it is not your duty to pay for her university. She needs to grow up and realize that life is hard and she is going to have to start paying her way sometime. I agree with you. Make her work part time, it will teach her to value money. Many universities have jobs on campus that will work around her schedule.

Answer 2

I think it depends on your ability to pay. It's a benefit if you can afford it because it allows them to focus on studies. If you can't afford it, then by all means they should help out. It's not your "duty". Many people pay their own way through college or they made sure their academic levels were high enough to earn scholarships. Did your daughters do their best in high school to try and earn a scholarship? I hate to see any parent spend the money if the student doesn't take full advantage of the education.

Answer 3

A parents duty is to provide for all of their children to the best of his or her ability and as far as financial circumstances permit. If paying for her means the others can't go then it's your 'duty' to divide whatever money you can afford to spend on their education equally between the four of them. She is over 18 and you have looked after her to the best of your ability this far. If she's been accepted for university it sounds like you have enabled her to get a good primary and secondary education. She is now an intelligent adult so the rest is up to her.

Of course, if she feels equally strongly that as your daughter it is, and will be, her duty to care for you until your dying day and never leave you to live alone in your declining years or allow you to be cared for by others (eg. in a nursing home) and never let any of her sisters feed you or clean you or nurse you when you are no longer able to look after yourself, it might be worth cashing in your pension plan and investing in a really top notch university education for her. I'd get it in writing first, though, if I were you. She sounds like the kind to welch on a deal like that.

Answer 4

Absolutely not.

Wanting your children to succeed in life is one thing, but you have no duty or obligation to pay for their university, especially if you are unable to afford it.

Having your daughters get part time jobs to help pay for their tuition is a great idea. As is them applying for financial aid and scholarships.

If they truely want to go to school, they will appreciate it much more if they had some financial investment in their success.

Answer 5

It's nice for you to help but it by no means is your "duty" to pay. Although it shows that maybe you haven't properly instilled the value of money and a goo work ethic in your children so you might want to start correcting that with the others.

Answer 6

You should; but all of your daughters need to understand your position and take some responsability (maybe get scholarships or, as you said, work part time)

Answer 7

Yes. For all 4.

Answer 8

i agree. my parents paid for my two years at a community college and then i was on my own. i took out loans. you get more money if you don't work actually, so don't make them do that.

Answer 9

YOUR DUTY??? I am so sorry, but she sounds like a spoiled, self centered, brat!!! Tell her to get off of her pampered tush and get a job - she will appreciate her education more if she works for it!!

Answer 10

Yes it is your duty, but it is better if they help, being responsible will help them a lot in their future lives!