<p>H and I are doctors and neither of my “kids” (21 and 24) have ever been even faintly interested. They know the deal. I like to quote them as saying, “no, I don’t want to help people”, but that might have been me. I remember being interested in the brain, and the mind and behavior from middle school, but I didn’t connect that with being a doctor, and I especially didn’t realize I would have to “fix” things. I just wanted to understand. </p>
<p>I think on doctor forums the trend is making your kid NOT a doctor. </p>
<p>My daughters have no interest in being doctors . . . they see it as a life of toil. I have strongly discouraged them from wanting to be lawyers. Both professions are high on the list of depression, alcohol and drug abuse and suicide for what its worth.</p>
<p>We, two physician parents, always would tell people our son was too smart to be a doctor. He majored in math, added comp sci and got a high paying job when he overreached for math grad schools. Never took the required chemistry for medical school. A friend’s nephew has top notch BS, PhD and fellowship math credentials but is having trouble finding a job. My aunt wanted her son to be a doctor, I’m the extended family member who did so- the concept of being smart and having parents think doctor isn’t new.</p>
<p>HS kids are so naïve regarding their futures and possibilities open to them. As stated above, they consider what they know. </p>