Why do Indian kids have to study a major which pleases their parents?

It seems that Indian kids these days can't study a major they want to. It is all about pleasing the parents. I studied business/finance because it pays well but I have been working in this field for many years without happiness. Why do Indian kids have to study a major which pleases their parents? Please share your thoughts. 😲

Originally posted by: MrMadonnaCicone

It seems that Indian kids these days can't study a major they want to. It is all about pleasing the parents. I studied business/finance because it pays well but I have been working in this field for many years without happiness. Why do Indian kids have to study a major which pleases their parents? Please share your thoughts. 😲

I would think the ones paying for the college tuition, living expenses and more, should definitely have a major say in what direction the kid(s) should head after the 12th grade. Even setting aside the funding aspect of it, most parents, I presume, have a better idea than the kids themselves regarding the kids' potential, after having raised them for 18 years or so and after having seen them from close quarters. They would know how to do the risk-reward analysis from the point of view of the kids' potential and aligning it with external reality.

Plus, nothing is stopping the kids from pursuing their real goals after they "escape" their parents' clutches. Life presents plenty of opportunities for everyone to do what they want. Maybe one can't easily transition into sports (since the window to succeed in sports usually closes pretty early in ones life) but otherwise if you consider the science/commerce/arts disciplines, switching careers midway is not an impossible thing to do.

parents know best.. Its better to listen to them almost always - its all worldly advice!

In India, parents take the responsibility to see that their son/daughter gets the best of the education and is settled in a well paying job and also are married in a proper family. They are pained when their son fares badly in exams. Even though parents want the best for their children, I do accept some parents are not totally positive and push their children in uncomfortable ways. As far parents, one thing I understand is the main duty they have is to instil confidence and self-belief in their children and very few parents are able to do the needful in this line and this is the case in both India or any other country.

It is true in USA, anyone can choose a major to study irrespective of what their parents want as the parents don't finance the major. Yet will the kid succeed based on this major? Does he really make the choice based on his passion? Even in USA, mostly everyone makes the choice based on employment prospects and not out of passion. the only aspect absent here is parents don't make the choice. Some persons go for more than one major when they find the major they studied is not appealing.

For anyone to pursue his/her passion, it is possible only when there is confidence and self-belief within that person and mostly the confidence, self-belief and positive thinking are fostered by the parents only within the kids. When the parents encourage the children to trust themselves, children do well in their passion.

Because Indian culture is collectivistic. Family/group goals are given importance over individual needs and desires.

Originally posted by: MrMadonnaCicone

It seems that Indian kids these days can't study a major they want to. It is all about pleasing the parents. I studied business/finance because it pays well but I have been working in this field for many years without happiness. Why do Indian kids have to study a major which pleases their parents? Please share your thoughts. 😲

Are u talking about Indian kids studying in India or abroad?

I am born and brought up in India.After finishing 10th grade,my parents wanted me to take up Science but I insisted on taking up Commerce.My parents were a little upset as they always dreamed of making me a Doctor but they never forced their decisions on me.They let me choose my career path and today they are proud of me for whatever I am. 😊

India is advancing and so is the mentality of Indians.Not every parent forces their children to do what they want.They allow the children to pursue their dreams and their career.Just because Indian teenagers don't earn money at a young age like in USA that doesn't mean they are not independent.

Yes,there are some parents who impose their decisions on their children but not everyone. 😊

The problem in India is not just Parents and money. I will give u my example. I love maths. I wud have loved to pursue it for PhD. But I didn't get admission in a good university in MSc. because they wanted Maths(Honours) student only which I was not.