Should parents have a say on what course their children should take up in college?

June Deoferio, Cavite City: Yes, parents know best what would be good for their children’s future, including what course is best for them to take.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: No, I would rather urge my child to go with his choice and advise him to believe in himself, work his plan, trust and not doubt. Faith never fails a man.

Parents should never impose on children

Felmar Rowell Singco, Northern Samar: Parents should have a say, but the final decision ought to be left to the children. They can only give advice; otherwise the child be discontent in what he is doing, and find disillusionment in the end.

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: Parents should have a say, but should never impose on their children. Smart parents are aware of the interests and inclination of their children. The best thing they can do is simply enhance these interests by making suggestions and giving guidance. If the children are determined to pursue their own interest, parents have no choice but to give in to avoid blame later on.

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: Parents have their children’s best interest at heart, but the kids should have the last say. If papa hadn’t intervened, I’d have been a lawyer. It still hurts to this day.

Nick Ocampo, Angeles City: Parents must never say what course the children should take up in college. This is a lesson I learned based on what happened to my own children.

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: Speaking from personal experience, it’s improper to interfere and dictate the kind of course that children should take up in college.

Jayson Biadog, Mandaluyong City: No, it should be the children’s choice. Burning dreams must flow freely.

Fortunato Aguirre, Bulacan: Parents know better. They can suggest, but not impose. They should give guidance, but give children the liberty to choose and lead their own lives.

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: As parents, we can suggest, but we should not impose. We should be liberal with them. What we know today may be obsolete in the future. In this computer age, the youth is probably more informed than us parents, so we should always be ready to discuss with them. Baka magmukha tayong bopol sa harap nila.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Just like when choosing a mate for marriage, parents may advise children on what course to take. Never should they influence their children.

Diann Aquino, Caloocan City: No, and that’s what I did with my own children. There is, however, nothing wrong with expressing your desires for them.

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Parents always have the best interests of their children at heart. It’s alright to advise them on what career path to choose.

Eric Gopilan, Quezon City: Parents should not intervene in what course their children want to take up in college. They can only give advice. They should let their child aspire.

Dave Velasco, Marinduque City: Parents should only guide or suggest to their children what course to take, depending on their skill and love of knowledge.

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: They can suggest, yes, but to force a child to take a course is another thing. Let them take the course they like most.

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Parents know best for their children, so I don’t see anything wrong with that. But if their child should choose their area of interest, parents should guide and support them for their success.

Yes, parents foot the bill

Elpidio Que, Vigan: Of course, parents should have a say. It’s their money at stake, and there are fresh high school graduates whose minds are not so set on what future they would tread. This, however, does not apply to self-supporting students.

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: Ideally, the children should be given liberty to choose the college course they want, but the parents should have the final say because they are the ones footing the bill.

Aldo Apostol, Quezon City: Of course. Who will be paying for the tuition fee and other expenses? However, the student should decide based on his intelligence, talent, and abilities, and the parents should support them. It is still the responsibility and obligation of parents to support their kids through college.

Voz Butuyan, Pangasinan: Yes, because they are the ones paying the tuition for the child’s dreams to come to fruition!

Juan Eduardo, Baguio City: If you don’t want a parent or any donor to have a say on how their money is spent, don’t take the money.

Parents must have a say

Digoy Coro, Batangas: Though it’s the child who must choose the course, parents must also have a say, because of financial and logistical considerations.

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: We can only suggest, not impose, on what course our children should take up in college. We should let them select a degree of their choice but one within our financial means.

Children must have the final say

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: As parents, we guide our children on what course to take, telling them the pros and cons. We leave the final decision to them.

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Parents can only think of what is best for their children. But the latter still has the final say, which must be respected and supported by the former all the way.

Patrick Miranda, Marikina City: I believe that parents should be more of a guide. Know the kids’ strengths and make suggestions. Then, let the kids decide.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Parents have no say. They should not impose. Yes, they can give advice, pero hanggang doon lang. Let the children choose their course.

Jess Carpena, Laguna: No, parents can only give advice, but their children should have the final decision.

Tony Chan, Quezon City: Yes, but the decision will be up to the children. As parents, we can only guide them.

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: It’s advisable for parents to have a say, but the children’s choice should prevail in what course they would take up in college.

Eden Jimenez Vallo, La Union: I think the final decision belongs to the children, although in my case, I obeyed my parents, and I am now a proud pharmacist.

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: I leave the choice to my children, but I give them and their young friends the following advice: 1. Choose a course that will be able to provide you a comfortable living in the future; 2. Take a course related to health, like nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, etc. The world population is ever-growing; health care will always be in demand; 3. While in college, excel in everything you do. It will give you a headstart; 4. It’s not always right to choose what you like, but learn to love what you choose.

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: No, parents should never dictate what their kids should take in college. High school grads should take the course they really want and build their own career.

Dennis Acop, Baguio City: I think parents have the right to advise their children on what possible course to take up in college, but I don’t think they should have the final say. The child ultimately has the final say, depending on what interests him, what he is good at, which school he wants to attend, and other considerations, including cost. But since the child has limited knowledge and experience, the parents’ inputs are valuable in assisting their child to arrive at an informed decision. If the parents are the ones paying for the child’s education, they also need to have their say.

Leonard Villa, Batac City: No, let’s leave it to our children as they know their capabilities and limitations very well. They know what course suits their intellectual capability and interest.

Parents are essential to their children’s success

Sahlee Reyes, Las Piñas City: Yes, because the parents’ involvement is essential to their children’s educational success and choice of career.

Rey Onate, Palayan City: My wife and I simply became “involved advisers” during the teenage years of our five children. We often told them our expectations and they spoke their minds about what they wanted to be. My wife and I supported them. All of them are now gainfully employed, pursuing their respective dreams.

There should be a compromise

Mario Tejada, Ilocos Norte: For me, the main factors to consider in deciding a child’s course in college are his academic achievements and functional performance, his preferred course, future employment opportunities, and the financial capability of parents to support the child through college. Some factors are in the domain of the child; others are in the domain of the parents; and others are not in either of their domains. It is therefore imperative that both parents and child talk it out. It should be a consensus.

Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: Yes, parents have the right to suggest what course their children should pursue in college. But the children’s inclinations should be considered. The course should fit them, make them happy, and provide them with a sense of fulfillment. Parents should definitely give guidance, but the final decision should be left to their children. This, to my belief, is a win-win situation. Case in point is my daughter who had a burning ambition to be a doctor. We gave her the necessary guidance and support, both financially and morally. She’s now a full-fledged lady physician. Praise the Lord!

Norman Villamayor, Mandaluyong City: Parents and children should be able to strike a compromise on the choice. This is going to be a partnership that would last for four or five years and both parties need to be able to work together for the endeavor to become successful.

Jose Parco, Kalibo, Aklan: They have a say, after all, they are the ones who are footing the bill. Having said that, it is the children who will have to burn the midnight oil. Parents can influence their child’s career choice by giving valuable advice. It has to be some sort of partnership, a teamwork.

Joseph Aliviado, Cagayan de Oro City: It’s better for both parents and the child to make a decision as to what course should be taken. Guidance from the parents and the capacity of the child should be balanced to make a good decision.

Ed Alawi, Davao City: Without financial problems, parents can rationalize the course they want for their children to take, but should not force it. They may even meet halfway.

J. Fabello J r., Cagayan de Oro City: Certainly, the parents’ pockets and desires make up half the tickler list, while the other half is made up of the kids’ report cards and dreams.

Ric Vergara, Calamba City: Parents know best, but the children’s future is at stake in this, so the parties must talk to reach a compromise. Maselan na bagay ito.

Parents know best

J.R. Mondonedo, Parañaque City: Of course, because we know what is good for them, except if they have special talents that they can take up in college.  

Lita Kasala, Quezon City: Yes, parents should have a say on what their kids take up, because they know their kids very well and know what they can do and what is good for them.

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Yes, for most of our high school graduates are clueless about the real world outside high school life. Most of the time, we parents know best.

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: In these times of financial crisis, prudence dictates that parents, backed by experience, can help choose and plan what a child pursues in college.

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Learned parents discuss with their children the courses they will take up. Paramount on their minds is the welfare of everyone.

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Yes, that’s the prerogative of parents because they know what course is best for their children after a heart-to-heart talk on such matters.

Parents should not get in the way

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: I never interfere with what course my children want to take up. Give them suggestions on what to take up; kung gusto nila, okay, pag hindi, okay pa rin as long as they finish their schooling for their own good.

Nestor Buñag, Mandaluyong City: Tatay suggested Commerce, which I pursued in abeyance despite avocation to science, and it paid off. Today’s graduates are more motivated. Being so, a compromise is cast for factors such as scholarships, affordability, or indigence. Many parents are even confused. I suppose parents could suggest but not get in the way of their child’s career.

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: Yes, let the kids pick the course that interests them. But, if you cannot afford it, make it clear. My eldest wanted to take up Medicine. I told him we could not afford it, as my contracting job was affected by the closure of the American bases in Clark and Subic. Luckily, there was a student loan aid program at the University of the Philippines which enabled him to finish his Civil Engineering course in due time.

Joel Caluag, Bulacan: Parents should guide their children on what course to take up in college, but they should let the child choose the course, then support and encourage him.

Felix Ramento, Manila: Looking back, I took up a course my father had exactly wanted due to financial constraints, but I was better prepared when my turn came, so I was able to let all my six kids fulfill their childhood dreams.

They have their own vision of what they want to be

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: It would be a big mistake for parents to dictate on their children’s choice of college course. Usually, parents dictate on their children’s course because of personal reasons like wanting their children to fulfill broken dreams. Children have their own vision of what they want to be in life. Parents can only guide them. It should always be the children’s final decision what they want in life.

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: My kids have their own goals; I don’t tell them what course to take up. I believe that “Water seeks its own level,” as the kung fu wisdom goes, or that “You can lead the horse to the water, but you cannot force it to drink”.

Children need their parents’ advice

Rose Leobrera, Manila: I wanted to be a nurse, but I was not given the opportunity to become one because my mother didn’t like it, kasi malungkot daw inside the hospital. Truly, what she said was true. Although it’s a noble profession, I find it now malungkot because when my son tells me about his experiences during his hospital duty, I get affected. We are parents and they need someone to guide them, otherwise, they will be confused. Guidance lang naman.

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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