Why do parents of college students think they have the right to argue with professors for grades?

Question

I've received a couple of emails / phone calls this year and I don't understand why they think having mommy or daddy call will get the professor to change a grade. Don't they realize that it hurts the students' credibility and decreases the likelihood of any change? Of course if the reason for bad grades is something truly significant, that's one thing, but even then if the student is an adult shouldn't he/she be responsible for his/her education without parental interference?

I'm curious to hear from parents who do this - if I knew their perspective or could understand what motivates them, I might be better able to communicate with them. Do any of them ever consider the possibility that their student might be exaggerating their side of the situation a little bit?

Empty Streets - that's really okay. Thanks for posting to both questions, I wasn't upset with you. You sounded angry and I wanted to clarify. I know some students have legitmate reasons for missing class, and should be offered some consideration for medical issues. I was talking about students who miss class for hangovers and then at the end of the semester get their parents to come up with excuses for them. Big difference :)

Answer 1

You are correct. College is the traditional time in life when a child-student is supposed to be growing into an adult-student in preparation for taking on full responsibility for their future and reimbursing society at-large (by way of making adult choices and behaving in an adult manner) for all the crap they put us through as high schoolers!! Sadly, I have noticed, as I am sure you have , that many folks get all the way through their college years and still don't have a clue how to conduct their life as a mature, responsible adult. This is due to your aforementioned interfering parents! Please, hold the line for all of us and don't cave to those manipulative parents!!! Unless the student is physically incapable of talking to you or even emailing you by him or herself concerning a valid reason for the poor grade, I would simply say "I'm sorry, I will be happy to discuss this blah blah blah with the student, if the student comes by to see me during my office hours. Have a great day. Bye." If it makes them mad, they'll get over it or not. So what? They aren't going to yank little Johnny or Suzy out of school over it, or, if they do, then you are relieved of a royal pain-in-the-butt ! Besides, there is always the chance they may decide you have a valid point and make junior deal. It could happen!!! Maybe, lol.

P.S. Those parents could be referred to as living proof of the fact that a person can become an adult chronologically, yet never achieve adulthood emotionally!

Answer 2

i think of this may be a remarkable nevertheless question; I basically wish I had the time to truly write an essay reaction to it! My thoughts are that bigger preparation isn't a precise or an entitlement; yet of undertaking: so no, professors are actually not the employees of the scholars. and you pay to get a a tremendously knowledgeable expert open doorways for you; so why could you opt to short exchange your self that threat by utilising annoying minimum artwork for a greater physically powerful grade? human beings have this type of extensive experience of entitlement (something for no longer something) as a result we rank thus far down in artwork ethics, productiveness & and academic intelligence. It additionally cheapens the degree (to get one without attempt), that's why a bachelors is seen as exceedingly much no longer something in some aspects, now requiring a masters or bigger. And definite, i think of they are whiners. My BFF teaches in severe college, and boy are they entitled whiners to boot. One reason human beings graduate and might't spell, use stable grammar, and get & save a job. yet, large question--which this replaced right into a university direction (LOL) to locate further!!

Answer 3

I didn't gave u thumbs down in the other question, that probably was my boyfriend who did that. Secondly, for the way you express yourself you seem to be a decent professors, but I can't deny that there is malice event in our universities, because there is. People cheat, and some professors help selected people to pass and the others leave them behind, like it has happened to me a couple of times. That's what I am pointing out. I got sick with dengue, some disease caused by a mosquito weeks before the finals which made me stay in bed for almost a week, and I still gave it my best, but still she didn't consider that.

That woman is bitter about something and she needs Jesus.

Even professors need to feel that if they help a student in need God is going to help them too, cause you never know whats going to happen to you on the next day.

Not all proffesors are bad, I have meet EXCELENT profesors, who have inspired me to do good things, but others are mean and they don't care if you are a good person.

Thanks for clarifying.

Answer 4

That Americans for you. They don't seem to take criticisms to well. They just can't believe that their little darlings didn't do so well on their course.

It is totally unheard of here in Europe of mummy and daddy running to the University or College lecturer arguing about their offspring grades. If these so called student who claim to be adults running home to mummy and daddy crying about grades been bad. But pity these students didn't know the old saying "Who ever said life was fair" I agree with you about the students credibility. If a student gets bad in grades it really their own fauts.
Another old saying here "What you put in is what you get out"

Answer 5

It it sad but true. Many parents coddle their kids from cradle to grave. I also agree the it takes away from the students credibility. I do not think that these parent realize that allowing their children the opportunity to fail is an extremely important step in their development. Failure teaches us so much more than success.

Answer 6

This is because Mommy & Daddy have been doing it for the past 12 years. Now, they think that because they're paying, they have the right to interfere in the educational process. Isn't this part of the American Way; i.e., money=power?

Answer 7

LOL, wow that's amusing! I guess they believe that since it has always worked when their kids were in middle and high school it would work in college. Well when they parents call again, kindly remind them that theIR COLLEGE SONS AND DAUGHTERS ARE NO LONGER 12, AND THEY NEED TO GET A GRIP.