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I would be Ok with them not going to college but I would absolutely encourage some kind of higher education schooling. Whether that's a technical trade or vocational school.

I would be ok with it if they had a plan and a career lined up. If they were living at home they would need to pay rent, etc.

As a professor at a liberal arts college, I think there is a lot of (personal and societal) value in college beyond training for a job. And I think that you (can) get skills--critical thinking, writing, etc--that go beyond a particular major/job and are still really important for work.

But I also teach many students who use college to mark time and get a piece of paper, getting very little out of the experience. If my kids are like that, I hope I have the courage to help them think of a different path in life.

I think I would be disappointed.

Besides the education factor those 4 years really were a stepping stone for growing up and learning to be independent. I learned a lot about myself, no one was there to tell me to wake up or do my homework or whatever.

It depends on what they would do instead of college. I feel like college gives young people options and the chance to be independent. I'm okay with providing financial support while they are in school, because after they will have the tools to take care of themselves. If their non-collegiate choice requires pro-longed financial support then I wouldn't like that at all.

I know you can't force someone to do something against their will, and forcing someone to go to college who's not ready or willing would be a huge waste of time and money. I would hope, though, that after some time traveling, working, etc, he'd want to go back to expand his mind, learn new things, get access to better jobs, etc.

As long as he had clearly thought it through and developed an acceptable plan/career path. College isn't necessary for all careers/futures and can be a waste of time or financial burden in some cases. Of course.. I think it's always beneficial to have a degree.. But not 100% necessary.

@Ms maths: my husband and I both teach at a liberal arts college too. I agree that there is so much to a college education beyond job skills. But I also see so many students who just shouldn't be there. (How can you pay insane tuition and then just skip all your classes???) So I'm a firm believer that college is the best choice, but only when the person is ready and really wants to be there, and that's not going to happen at 18 right out of high school for everyone.

I would be fine with it as long as there is a back up plan that does not involve mooching off mom and dad and working at McDonalds.

@Eko: This. Mooching isn't ok. You need to do *something*.

However, college/advanced education is an expectation in our family. It would be sort of unusual, I think, for our kids to NOT want to go to college, considering how well DH and I are educated, and that's just straight up privilege, so let's call it like we see it. It would strike me as a bit odd if our kids had no interest. I just honestly don't think they will have much exposure to careers or people (in our families or amongst our friends, at least) who don't have college educations or training of some kind. SIL is a hairstylist and a cousin is a firefighter, but they still have special educations FOR those careers, and that counts, to me. I think it's incredibly hard to forsee 20 years from now, though, and the "college landscape" could be vastly different.

This is not okay in our household. My parents came here (US) to give us access to higher education; our little ones will also learn to value the experience and opportunity of higher education as well as the necessary "piece of paper," that gets you in the front door to most lucrative careers. We will help with funds so that they're not having to make difficult financial decisions in order to pay for college.

I'd be OK with it, as long as they're working. I have quite successful family members who dropped out of college, because that's not where their talent is. And others with one or more degrees, who just can't get anywhere outside the academic field.

No, I will not be ok with it. They must go to college.

A huge goal for me as a parent is to teach my kids about budgeting and money and how education can affect the job choices that are available to you, and what quality of life you can lead based on your choices.

I've seen too much how my SIL has struggled. She only has a 2 year certificate and it's in a completely unrealistic career path (fashion design). She struggled with low paying jobs for years and needed her mom's assistance to pay for basic things. She eventually met her FI and got pregnant and now she's a SAHM while he's a grad student. She's now in a horrible situation where she's essentially stuck with this guy because she can't support herself and her daughter if she were to leave. We were asked at Christmas to not exchange gifts as a family, but to give her $$ .

@GREENTEA and @MRSJYW-- I completely agree! My husband took a non-traditional route (didn't have the best role models growing up) but he completed his undergrad degree in his late 20's and now as a Masters. He knows how hard life can be without a college degree-- not as many opportunities.
A college degree opens so many doors and I see first hand the difference it makes. I'm not dictating what kind of college my LO should attend (or his major or degree), but I strongly believe it is absolutely neccessary.
I've watch many documentaries and the one life changer is a 4 year degree.
If he decides to be a carpenter or artist or movie star- awesome, but it's still a game changer to have that college degree.

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I agree with @lawbee11. I think going to college will pretty much be expected, much like completing high school is now.

I'm pretty sure I'd be ok with this. I went to college bc it was just expected of me. I ended up loving it but have hefty loans I am paying off.. my brother also went bc it was expected and he hated it and ended up dropping out and that was a huge hit to his ego. Could have been avoided if he hadn't felt forced to go.

I have also worked with MANY many people who do well financially and don't have college degrees. So although I do think having a college degree helps in certain areas I dont' think it's an absolute necessity. I do hope DD wants to go but more for the fun of it all. College was the best time of my life, the most carefree time you'll ever have. I mean come on you're in class 12-18 hrs a week.. that's IT!!!!! (speaking from my own experience)

I hope to better navigate DD through her choices and provide her opportunities to know what is out there and what she can do if she wants. I am from a very small town and it was "farmer, teacher, fire fighter, police officer or business person"... ????? There wasn't much about ALL the opportunities out there! Like I never knew you could be an ultrasound tech or a court transcriptionist.... My point is that I want to show DD as many options as possible to help her decide what path is best for her. If college is on that path then i'll be happy, if it's not then i'll hopefully be happy too!

I'm in a similar situation. I went to college and got my degree but barely used it. The economy was crap when I graduated, and it took me a year to find a job. The job wasn't great and didn't require my business degree. The pay was less than desirable, and I left as soon as I was pregnant with my first. Luckily my loans were paid off after 2 years.

We have a savings account for each kid, and I will give it to them when I feel they are financially responsible. They can use it towards their education, travel, or start up their own business. It's up to them, and I'm not going to demand them to go to college. Many successful people dropped out of college to pursue their goals. There is not one correct path suited everyone.

If by "college" you're talking about forgoing a traditional 4-year degree, I'd be OK with it, but I would expect them to gain some sort of technical training or have a clearly defined career pathway.
With that said, many jobs which did not require a bachelor's degree in years past now do require a 4 year college degree. In my state/region, many construction workers (equipment operators in particular) must have 4 year degrees.

I would be OK with it as long as they had a plan set up to work full-time and support themselves and then I saw them following through on that plan.

My brother never went to college and I have watched him be very happy and support himself without problem so I know it can be done.

ETA: do I hope they choose to go to college? Definitely! But I also understand that it isn't the right choice for everyone.