The Peril of Making a Choice
Season 6, episode 6 of Parenthood is titled, “Too Big To Fail.” In it Drew, one of the characters is off at college and he is stressed out. Drew is in his freshman year and he needs to pick classes for next semester. He is stressed! Lost, with no guidance he starts to go down the process of picking a major that he feels would make him good money. Economics. Drew feels obligated to support his recently pregnant older sister and being their for his mom.
His girlfriend Natalie reminds him that he has time. To focus on the basics and get the required courses out of the way before going into classes that follow choosing a major. Drew seeks advice from his Uncle Adam who tells him to explore more, try things and keep experimenting so he can do something he loves. Drew’s other Uncle, Crosby, tells him to get a degree that will allow him to make lots of money.
Would you be confused?
The college system at large does not provide the guidance our kids need. Furthermore, you would think we can trust the opinion of an uncle who we believe to be smart and knows a thing or two, like Drew’s Uncle Adam. But even that has its contradictions with his other uncle Crosby.
This is how kids end up picking majors, dropping out, starting over, or graduating with a degree that is worthless to the job market. As Dave Ramsey says, “a degree in left-handed puppetry.”
Our kids need more guidance. From their parents, from their families, from the person they’re dating and the institution they attend. The responsibility cannot get passed to the parents from the school or to the school from the parents. It’s equal parts.
Dan Roman is a Husband, Father, and writer that releases a daily blog. A quick read on money, marriage, parenting, self-improvement, development and his thoughts. Dan is also Founder/Creator of Roman Solutions, a Personal Finance Firm that currently provides coaching and education.
To connect with Dan visit: https://linktr.ee/bydanroman
Or by email : financialdifference@danromansolutions.com