Why have parents gone crazy in the last 10 years?

<p>@GA2012MOM‌ </p>

<p>My D. can compete (successfully) with other kids, but not with their parents. Parents can 1) make charities, 2) publish student’s books 3) promote student’s art portfolio, 4) participate in exhibitions, 5) help with science projects, etc. </p>

<p>I think, students in HS are supposed to learn, get good grades, establish working relationship with teachers (get re letters), SAT-ACT, all other tests.</p>

<p>Everything else is on parent’s shoulders. :)</p>

<p>This thread is about how parents have gone crazy in the last ten years. Not how they need to be crazier. Californiaaa… </p>

<p>Isn’t she in 9th grade? or? </p>

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<p>I have got to say that that is one of the most succinct, clever and accurate statements I have seen on that topic in a long time. I never really thought of phrasing it like that.</p>

<p>@lookingforward‌
I have 4 daughters :)</p>

<p>It is called the CCPARENTZILLAS!!!</p>

<p>@fluffy2017 - Thanks! :)</p>

<p>I am shocked of how many parents literary impose schools, major etc on their children. It makes me think if they are trying to re-live their dreams through their children? If that is the case, we all know how that usually ends, not good for both parties.
I really do hope parents allow their children to make these decision and only act as guidance in the process.</p>

<p>I guess it’s understandable if parents want the best thing for their students, but high expectations can really be a burden on someone. I would rather feel as if my parents are more open to my activities and classes rather than feeling like I’m being restricted to what they feel like I should accomplish. And if by chance I mess up somewhere along my educational career, at least I would be taking full responsibility rather than harboring ill feelings. </p>

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<p>I guess that depends on how your are using the words “impose” and “literally”.</p>

<p>Maybe I am missing it, but except for financial concerns (“we can’t afford it”) I don’t see parents forcing their kid to go to a college that the kid doesn’t want to go to and take on a major the kid doesn’t want. I see a lot more of the “follow your dream” and “there are other colleges besides the Ivies” comments around here.</p>

<p>Yes, of course, there are cases, but those don’t seem that common.</p>

<p>@fluffy2017 - It isn’t that common, but I wouldn’t call it rare either. A couple of years ago there was a thread talking about that exact issue and you would have been surprised at how many parents felt they had the right to tell their child which school to attend and what to major in. The main reason given was because they were paying for it, but a fair number also thought they had that right as parents and just knew better. No question there were cultural biases in there. It seemed pretty shocking to those of us that grew up in the 60’s and 70’s here in America and just don’t think that way.</p>

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I didn’t know this was even in dispute. I suppose no one has any proof other than what Harvard has said in the past, but I think it is accepted as common knowledge that Harvard could take the 2,000 students entering this fall, tell them to just go away, and take the next 2,000 that didn’t get in without losing any quality. After all, there are a lot more than that many kids going to the other Ivies, Stanford, Duke and a couple of other schools, who applied to Harvard and didn’t get in that clearly have the same credentials. Not to mention those 10-15% who got an offer but decided to go elsewhere for whatever reason. There is no question that at some point in the process, since their yield is like 85-90% or whatever, Harvard just has to flip a coin in choosing who to make an offer to and who doesn’t get the nod.</p>

<p>Fallen I made that comment on the wrong thread, sorry.</p>

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<p>I guess the question is what is X (as a multiple). .5? 1? 2? 4?</p>

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<p>I really hope they don’t flip a coin. That instead they find something unique that fits the needs of the class for balance or whatever.</p>

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<p>I don’t think “common knowledge” can be something that is an unproven opinion. Perhaps “common belief” is more appropriate. Nor do I think a statement someone makes is proof.</p>

<p>Not sure how we should read you, fluffy. You mentioned, on another thread, that it’s amusing people can dismiss a media survey- but you are dismissing this. I believe H said 3x and we can accept that or not- but their overall admit rate challenge still stands. And, returning to the theme here, parents just crazy to get their kids into a top school.</p>

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<p>Well, on the one hand it would be great to meet you since we have so much in common.
On the other hand, it may be boring:</p>

<p>You: some statement about jobs…
Me: I agree…</p>

<p>You: some statement about responsibility…
Me: I agree…</p>

<p>and so on.</p>

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<p>There is a huge difference between a survey done by a third party and stating results that have nothing to do with it’s business (e.g. it wasn’t about Princeton Review) and a statement made by an organization about it’s own organization. IIRC during their admit weekends some of the top colleges made statements that I wouldn’t take as fact and take more as marketing statements (rah, rah!).</p>

<p>I do take the surveys Harvard and others have about their student experiences with far less skepticism (like the one posted earlier from the Crimson).</p>

<p>By the way, as an aside.</p>

<p>If the number is 3x, what does that say? Of the 36000 applicants, 6000 are qualified? And that if you are qualified, you have a 1 in 3 chance? </p>

<p>Okay, getting off topic here.</p>

<p>@snarlatron I totally agree with u about people can find a nice job not from the ivy league. The point I want to address is you might get more chance get degree from Ivy league. Do u think that is not the reason why parents spent lots of money to send their kids to ivy league?</p>

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<p>Here is the interesting thing about spending lots of money…from Harvard…</p>

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<p>So it may actually be a better financial decision to go with some of the Ivies (not all are the same as Harvard, but they are generally generous)</p>

<p>@fluffy2017 - The comment made by the Harvard head of admissions was that they could replace the incoming class with the next 2,000 applicants, like I said. Simple math makes that x=2, contrary to what lookingforward said.</p>

<p>The coin flip comment was definitely metaphorical, so I assume you are just being silly.</p>

<p>I will definitely concede that point that it is not common knowledge. I guess the more appropriate phrase would have been “commonly accepted”.</p>