Are parents under a moral obligation to start saving for their children's college education early on, or do they simply have the right to say "screw it, you're on your own after graduation from high school?"
2007-08-01 08:14:28 · 53 answers · asked by Andre 7 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
If a parent can afford it I think they should help pay the cost or some of it as long as that child is doing the work and not just partying. However if a parent cant afford to pay for their kids college it would be good if you at least helped them find some kind of financial aid such as scholarships, grants, loans, etc. Parents who love their kids will always try to do all they can to make their kids future better. But the bottom line is youre not obligated.
2007-08-01 08:20:31 · answer #1 · answered by Dovahkiin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Moral? No. Most parents are willing to help as much as they can, but some are unable to. Some are just trying hard to make it in this economy as it is and many children these days do not understand the financial pressures their parents face until they enter the real world themselves. The child will need to shoulder the burden of student loans and work their way through college like so many others if their parents are not in a positions to help. It's time to grow up and be responsible.
2007-08-01 08:20:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some parents do both.
Most parents don't have the ability to give their children a free ride. It's just not possible. Some parents do, but others don't.
Yes, it's important to save for your child's future and your retirement, but in the same sense if you can barely afford to live then you probably aren't going to be having a college fund OR retirement fund.
Case in point:
My cousin is raising 2 boys. Her husband makes $65,000 each year and they have a $1200 mortgage each month. When their sons graduate from high school, they will each have $30,000 in their college fund to use throughout 4 years. They will also retire, as of today, with $540,000.
My in-laws also raised 2 children. During the years that their children were in school, they made $40,000 each year and have a $300 mortgage. They do not have a retirement fund nor could they finance their children to go to college. Today they make over $70,000 and still have a $300 mortgage, but they are constantly in debt due to poor spending habits.
Personally, I think it's each parents responsibility to figure out how to save their money wisely, but I wouldn't scream at them for not being able to pay for college.
2007-08-01 08:20:22 · answer #3 · answered by FaZizzle 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You don't say screw it, but you do teach them from the time they are knee high to a grasshopper how to live, save money, etc. Once they are out of high school, they can work. They have student aid at every college across the country. So they aren't left out in the cold. Military pays for a lot of it as well. I paid my own way through college(except a measly pell grant) Otherwise I slaved away and paid my student loans off. I think those that do are actually stronger and more financially stable in the long run, versus those that have parents pay for everything. So there's no reason others can't pay for their own.
2007-08-01 08:27:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's up to you. My mom was never able to do that. my father died when my brother and I were very young and saving was nearly impossible for her. My fiance's parents pay for his school but that is because it's not a financial burden for them.
Either way saving money is never a bad thing. What is your kid gets into some great school. Wouldn't you want to be able to help out?
i don't think you have any obligation but I think most parents want their kids to have the best possible future and saving for their college is a good start.
2007-08-01 08:21:07 · answer #5 · answered by Gwenilynd 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes is hard for parents to make ends meet much less put money away for college. I would say 90% of young men and women need to work their way through college even if the parents help a little bit. It all depends on the financial situation in the home but by 18 you should be responsible and at least have a plan for your future.
MP
2007-08-01 08:19:05 · answer #6 · answered by Myriam P 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Being a teen who is going to college this fall semester, I asked myself the same question.
To be very honest, your parent has the right to say "you're on your own" after you graduate. It is a choice for them to financially help out, but it's not an obligation. Should they have saved up money, YES, but should have gotten a job and saved for yourself, YES!
Morals may say yes, but realistically speaking, no, there is no set obligation for them to do anything for you after high school...remember, after high school you are a legal adult. And during high school, if you believe you want to go to college, then you should take the appropiate steps to getting enough cash
- scholarships
-grants
-low rate loans
-job(s)
-saving
-getting a savings account
etc
2007-08-01 08:23:15 · answer #7 · answered by oranginole 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I don't think it's wrong to put money aside for your childs education as long as there doing what's right and getting good grades why not. Especially if your parents income exceed the amount so the kids can get finacial aid which is not that uncommon these days. So putting a little away each I don't think hurts anything especially when you want your child to be successful in life and not have to struggle or go through some of the painful mistakes we did as parents or growing up.
2007-08-01 08:19:43 · answer #8 · answered by letgoletflow26 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, a parent is obligated to house, feed, cloth, and love their child until they turn 18. Then you are an adult. If you want a college education, you will figure out a way to afford it. If your parents saved something for you, or helped you great. If not, you will have to figure it out. You can borrow for college. They can't borrow for retirement!
2007-08-01 08:19:07 · answer #9 · answered by tushanna_m 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it is irresponsible and perhaps unintelligent for parents to go ahead have children and not help them become the best they can be which usually means going to college. If they have no pride in their childrens accomplishments it is rather cruel to simply say you are on your own. But then, Im weird in that way believing that if many of the persons on this site had planned ahead and saved money before marriage and children, our world would be a better place
2007-08-01 10:24:07 · answer #10 · answered by barthebear 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋