Reply to Parents who don't allow their kids to major in liberal arts

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I really think we are seeing a class divide in the vocationalism of higher ed. Upper-class people go to college and are fine majoring in the liberal arts; they have the connections to get a job after graduation either through family or an alumni network. For people with out connections or money, they see STEM degrees or anything practical like business or accounting as a way to pay off debt/loans and compensate for lack of family connections and alumni networks. [/quote]

That's EXACTLY what it is.  Just like you see a lot more writers/comedians/creative types who were able to go after their passions, last out a few years after college where they weren't making money, because they came from an upper-middle-class or better background and they knew they had that parachute if things didn't work out.

It's funny because I was listening to a podcast with Nick Kroll, who is an extremely successful comedian and also happens to be the son of a billionaire.  When he was asked about that he said it didn't change things too much EXCEPT THAT he was always able to go after what he wanted to.  Even if he had to work odd jobs to make rent he knew that if things were bad he could call his dad, and that goes a long way into allowing someone the mental headspace to be successfully creative.

On the other hand, if your family is only middle class, and you had to take out loans, and you know they DESPERATELY want to know you have an okay future, you probably don't have the luxury of betting it all that you can make your writing career work, no matter how much you love it/how good you are.

And that is one reason why the rich get richer- their attitudes towards wealth allows their children the freedom to find and foster their passions.  Meanwhile the non-rich are funneled into prescribed careers they may not love, because it brings guaranteed financial security.  Even if they would have done much better financially had they roughed it for a few years as a barista after majoring in liberal arts- they'll never know that, because they don't take that route. [/quote]

+1[/quote]

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