Should We Be Forcing Education On Children?

[caspianzephyr]

This was a topic of conversation that came up today. We were debating whether or not I should have told one of the neighbor's child who wanted to be a vet that I used to want to be one when I was a kid too, but then I realized I didn't want to go to school for that long and since she doesn't like school either she's rethinking it. Well whoopdee freaking doo it's called giving her a little dose of reality!! I am honest with children and I don't hold back by constantly preaching that education and college is the way to success because I didn't go to college and I'm making out just fine!




That's why if I ever have children I will stress the importance of going to school because it's the law, but why should I make them go to college if they don't want to go and it's an option? If they want to go I'll support them, but I will never make them go. Just like with church.





I'll take them with me when they're younger but once they're old enough to decide for themselves and old enough to stay home why should I force them if they're not interested in having a relationship with Christ? Even Jesus Himself doesn't like forcing Himself on other people, He wants His children to come to Him willingly and I think that's the way it should be home tutors in whitehaven. I can only hope and pray that my future children and grandchildren decide that they want a relationship with Him,.. but I'm in no way, shape, or form going to force it on them.

It seems like you're grappling with how to guide children while respecting their autonomy. Being honest and realistic with kids about their goals, like the vet career example, can help them make informed decisions. However, offering support rather than forcing decisions—whether it's about education, college, or religion—is important for fostering independence. Encouraging critical thinking, yet allowing children to choose their path, will help them develop into confident, responsible individuals. Ultimately, your approach to parenting reflects a balance between guidance and respect for their choices.

 

[Skovand]

Personally, I teach my son that going to college is important. He’s 17, and like me, while in high school is already taking college classes. He’s just taking the typical math, science stuff at the moment. Told him he has 2 years to decide before specializing really it’s more like 3 years.

 

[JohnDB]

Personally, I teach my son that going to college is important. He’s 17, and like me, while in high school is already taking college classes. He’s just taking the typical math, science stuff at the moment. Told him he has 2 years to decide before specializing really it’s more like 3 years.

A post secondary education program of some sort is very important.

But scholastic achievement is not necessarily the best option or has the best career opportunities anymore. "Office work" is not paying what it once did and many jobs are now obsolete or soon will be as AI will be tapped to perform them.
Some areas are still going to be valuable well into the future. Robotics design, installation, and engineering. Skilled trades....like electricians or plumbers/pipefitters. Automation still needs a person to install and repair it all. (And the skill set necessary is climbing) Chemical engineering is mostly gone. Computer modeling and testing has completely taken over the field. Both biochemical and industrial....just gone. Like machinists and tool and die makers....gone.

Video Videographer/editing is still going for a bit longer but AI is taking over. Your YouTube and TicTok videos are still paying professionals to set up stages and set up cameras and sound equipment. Marketing for advertisers is still a thing too. But it's a sales job....almost completely done by a computer anymore.
Commercial Real estate brokers and bankers.(loan and bond specialists) it takes skills to approach and be able to set up million dollar deals for commercial property construction and sales/leases. God is not making any more land but it will always change hands and be used in a variety of ways. Predictive modeling helps....but it's not an absolute either. (Nobody knows the future) Lots of empty offices sitting around currently....lots of leases not getting renewed. What to do with these empty ivory towers is the next question....lots of money has been paid for these. Figuring out how to use them will pay well.