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I don't really see it as the parents decision. I know that has a huge influence, but I don't think it should be forced.

I agree, there are a lot of stupid degrees you can go for and ultimately waste 4 years and tens of thousands of dollars on..so encouragement would be nice, but no I don't think it is the parents final decision because they won't be the one working in that field

We both feel it would be worth it alone just for the experience of moving away from home and for the social side So I wouldn't care what degree it was.

I hope she (they) gets a useful degree, and we will have many discussions about that, but we won't make that decision for her.

This isn't meant to be a downer comment at all, but by the time our kids are college-aged, who knows what higher education will be like! I think it's important for the parents and kids to discuss options for degrees and the pros/cons, but pushing them to do something they don't want (that will take so long and cost so much!) seems like a recipe for disaster.

This is hard for me because my degree isn't very useful..... but I still will let her do what she wants. I'll encourage her to get something that will help her get a job, but in the end it's her choice.

How ever he's sees fit. To me a degree is a degree.

I am going to have to ask DH what he thinks!

They can choose for themselves whether we pay or not.

our LO's will be allowed to choose for themselves. I want them to study what they are passionate about. Why would I want to force them to study something they don't care about or like so they can hopefully get a job in a career they hate? I was about to study Theatre but switched to Criminal Justice last minute. My parents supported both decisions whole heartily. Infact, my little sister is a Photography major and they couldn't be more excited that she is following her passion. That is what I want for my kids too.

I'm only helping pay for a degree that will lead to a well-paying job. I'm not paying for a general studies degree. Accounting, engineering, etc. yes I would pay for.

LO can feel free to pursue student loans for a general studies degree if that's what he wants.

I work in higher ed in a capacity that has me working very closely with undergraduate students and, based on my experience, I would answer with a very emphatic and resounding, "NO!"

To be successful, one has to enjoy what one is doing, and that pretty much always involves playing to one's strengths. I see countless students who are miserable and/or failing because they are only enrolled in their program because their parents told them they had to be.

I also think there is a HUGE discussion to be had (but I don't necessarily want to have it here, as I seem to have it with students and parents on a daily basis) regarding degrees being "useful." I am, quite frankly, sick of hearing that some degrees are useful while others are not. Degrees in and of themselves are not vocational nor were they ever meant to be. However, it is up to each individual student to use his/her degree in combination with volunteer/work experience, career services supports offered at every higher ed institution and self-promotion to find employment. I see liberal arts students doing this successfully on a weekly basis.

My degree wasn't necessarily useful, it was what I did with it that was useful. So I'd be very open minded on the type of degree. We are encouraging the STEM careers though!

Basically, in the words of my husband, "she can't major in basketweaving on our dime".

I have a lot of coworkers whose children graduated with degrees in music, art, etc, and are still living at home, unemployed. I just want our kids to know that they need to use college to get their ass out of the house, get a career, do something. You can double major in something softer, or take those classes for electives. But you don't get to go for four years on partially our dime, then come home and lament that nobody will employ you. I want her to have some foresight. OK so you want an English degree. What do you think you'll do with it in 4 years? Just...have a plan. It'll be a big discussion in our house.

Basically, I want my kids to be able to support themselves, 100%. Not rely on others.

I have what many would consider to be a "useless" degree, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design. I have a great, well paying job in the industry, and there's room for more growth.

My sister also has a BFA, though in photography. Immediately after graduation she went to grad school for nursing and is now a RN. She realized in the middle of her junior year that a degree wasn't necessary for photography but at that point she'd have to start over so she should just finish the degree she started.

Our parents never pushed us one way or the other, they encouraged us to pursue what we love, and we appreciate that. They footed the bill for about 75% of our undergrad, and anything beyond that (my sister's grad school) had to be paid for on our own.