How do you explain to your parents that you won't live up to their expectations?

<p>You from CA, venkater?</p>

<p>DC area
/* adsfkldjkfads */</p>

<p>my suggestion is to go to college, most classes for underclassman are similar at most schools, so whatever your passions are, you will get the same basics the first few years....if they want you to go into law, you don't start that as a freshman</p>

<p>if they still are pushing law or whatever, by that point you may have a different vision for yourself, you may love you path, you may be unsure, BUT they can't make you beome a lawyer</p>

<p>so what if they are disappointed by your career choice...let them be disappointed, who cares, seriouslly....</p>

<p>I look at it this way, if my kids are taking care of themselves, working heart, not doing stupid things, appreciating their education, are independent, hae good friends, enjoying themselves and can pay their bills, I am a happy camper</p>

<p>I have one D who wants to do law, the other, something to do with fashion journalism, or whatever</p>

<p>I have told her that is cool, just be sure and do well in college so that when you are out there, you have a strong foundation and a good resume and track record</p>

<p>Good luck, and it may be where you do well to spite them....and if you have to nod and say, that's an idea, while getting your education, then that's what you have to do</p>

<p>
[quote]
Long story short, my parents yearn for me to become a doctor or lawyer and continue residing in California while I've wanted to work in fashion business on the east coast for many years.

[/quote]
As I read this while my cursor hung over this thread title, I had this feeling that you were Asian (sorry, the stereotype flows).</p>

<p>I know how you feel. My parents stressed about the importance of becoming a lawyer, doctor, businessperson, or engineer, but I've never really had a say in it. I've gotten myself into quite a number of arguments with them over my future profession. I try to keep my career low-key and out of the limelight during family discussion. It takes time for people to understand a certain prospective that they've rejected for so long. This can be applied to your case as well.</p>

<p>I'd personally say that being involved in the fashion industry could possibly be a successful job that will lead to many opportunities. Don't be afraid to pursue it. It's not always about being safe and going the route that many other people have taken. You can always incorporate science or law into your work (ex: maintaining health and well-being, staying fit and strong, proposing guidelines for models to avoid unrealistic body images, etc). It can show that you didn't completely disregard your parents' expectations.</p>

<p>With that, I'll leave you with a famous line by Robert Frost.</p>

<p>"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."</p>

<p>OP - why not have medicine and fashion coincide. Do them both. you know, juggle.
And pick a specialty that would ahve flexibe hours and would be easy to handle bec. medicine can take up alllllot of your time.</p>

<p>Just a funny story: I met a woman doctor once who went to Harvard Med School and was a respected researcher in her area. She told me her mother was always very disappointed in her because she did not follow in mom's footsteps and become a beauty queen/fashion model. I am not kidding. This woman was quite pretty but didn't wear makeup or color her hair which was kind of starting to get grey when I met her. Said mom gave her a hard time her whole life about this. Everybody has an opinion about your life and your appearance, don't they?</p>

<p>Oh, I forgot to say that my mom wishes I had gone to Georgetown instead. Either that or the 7 year MD program at GW.</p>

<p>its funny reading this thread....all asian parents are alike. some people have said that parents don't know best, and i have to admit, often times they do. but in regards to career choices, my parents have always wanted well paying jobs for their kids, claiming money can make life easier even though it cant buy happiness. they always wanted one of their kids to be a doctor...one to work on wall street....and my little sister could basically do whatever, haha. i was banking on my bro going to med school...but that didnt work out. he's doing what he wants (business/law) and even though my parents feel that his career may not be the safest, they understand that he cant live his life for them. and believe me, my parents are STRICT. you have to take the initiative and do what you need to do. but be warned: if you don't have the drive and passion, don't even bother. </p>

<p>on a side note...i wouldn't suggest medecine as something to fall back on or whatever. if you're going to do what you want eventually, just do it sooner than later. </p>

<p>and lastly, my mom thinks 5"10, 130, chubby. seriously, asians!</p>

<p>OP, with your excellent grades, you ought to be able to get into a fine (and large, comprehensive) university that offers you many options. Once there, you can major in almost anything and then go on to law school (or not), so there’s really no need to thrash this out with your parents right now. In your first two undergraduate years at most US schools you will be fulfilling many distribution requirements, and you will have the chance to take studio art/fashion design courses as electives. See how you do in them, and get your faculty to give you a frank assessment of your talent. If you turn out not to be as good at, or as interested in, fashion design as you would need to be to make a career out of it, you do not need to pursue it. If you do decide to pursue it, you will at least be doing so with some concrete information about your ability and prospects, which you don’t really have at the moment. You will also no longer be living at home, so you won’t have to live with your parents’ negativity–and they may not be as controlling anyhow once you’re out of the house. Cross each bridge as you come to it.</p>

<p>^Seeing as the OP posted in 2007, s/he has likely already done all of that.</p>

<p>This is called necro.</p>

<p>And this is why I hate Necro’ers…</p>