Modern guidance in paying for college

The Michigan Partisan

By Page W. H. Brousseau IV
TIMES STAFF WRITER

As we are all aware, a college education costs money, lots of it. But who should pay for that? The student? The student's parents? The government? These hefty questions directly influence which college a student may attend and how that student will go on to view topics such as entitlements and self resourcefulness.

Consider this scenario:
Dad is packing the car and his two boys run up, suitcases in hand.
"Where are we going on vacation this summer, dad? Gettysburg?"
"No."
"Myrtle Beach?"
"No."
"Graceland?"
"No."
"Yellowstone?"
"No."
"The Ford Presidential Library?"
"No."
"Crossroads Village?"
"No, kids, we're taking a tour of college campuses along the east coast. From Bowdoin in Maine to Embry Riddle in Florida, this summer is jammed packed with campus touring fun!"
"Yippee!" The kids shout in unison and jump in the car, hearts pounding, thinking about setting foot on the famed Salve Regina University in Rhode Island.

Is this Ned Flanders from The Simpsons taking his Sons, Rod and Todd, on vacation? Why no. According to Newsweek, this is a responsible father looking out for his children's well-being and educational development during the school summer hiatus.

"Over vacation, visit colleges," Newsweek recommends. Boy, do they know how to create memories at Newsweek. Not only does the article recommend a vacation that ranks next to a mallet hammer to the head in terms of fun, it plays to a growing sense that college is expected to be paid for by mom and dad. And mom and dad are to be expected to save as early as possible to send their children to college because that is what good moms and dads do.

Of course, for centuries, families have paid for their children's education, but education was left to the upper class that could afford it. Education opportunities have improved, social attitudes have not. Society is squeezing parents for every last dime, "invest today for your child's education." "By the time your five year old reaches college, tuition is expected to increase 40%." "Do you want your kid to flip burgers all his life?"

Okay, I made that last one up. But on TV, one hardly has to watch more than a few minutes before seeing an ad for Merrill Lynch, T. Row Price, or Oppenheimer pushing a savings plan for worried parents who fret over their child's career before their child can even walk.

This line of thought is misplaced at best; parents rushing their children around from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. solely to earn an "extracurricular activity" point ten years later have serious troubles. Little Johnny can no longer play pick up ball down at the school on the weekends, now he has to have recognition of his people skills for college.

The main problem, far as I can tell, with many of the youths of today is that their parents did not give them a swift kick the ass when they screwed up. Nothing has consequence, if it feels good (thanks. President Clinton) and many parents are trying to be their children's "friend" instead of parent. This leaves the line of responsibility blurred, creates a family group where the kids set the rules and the parent's submit to capitulation.

Newsweek, ever the leader in freeloading trends, recently had an article detailing the increasing numbers of adults still living at home. Some have returned after college and some have never moved out after high school.

But noticeably lacking in that article was any sense that it was wrong to be sleeping in the same bed at 35 that you did when you were 15. None of the parents were unhappy with the current situation, and some expressed sadness over their "children" moving out. And the freeloading adults could not have been happier.

One college-educated man even boasted that since he did not have to pay rent he was able to purchase a new car. Funny how that works, no rent equals extra money. What a concept! Who says you cannot learn anything in college?

When I was a freshman in high school my father and I were watching a news clip about the projected increase of tuition over the next five years. My dad turned to me and asked, "Do you want to go to college."
"Probably," I responded.
"You better start saving," he directed me.
I laughed, and then he told me he was not kidding. Okay, that was somewhat harsh, but that put my future in my hands alone. The summer after high school I spent in sunny Paris Island enjoying Marine Corps Boot Camp. With the Montgomery G.I. Bill, I am, just as my mother was, able to attend classes here pretty much free, the same as countless other veterans both here and across the country.

Yet spending four or even three years in the armed forces to qualify for the G.I. Bill is never an option for many students. Many things contribute to this. First, is a generation that undoubtedly enjoys the title of the "me generation."

Guidance counselors hardly ever direct students towards the option of spending four years in the armed forces, and many high schools across the country specifically deny recruiters access to school grounds or graduation lists. Now there are some on the Left pushing for a "Universal G.I. Bill." Nothing like money for nothing, of course the Left thrives on that.

Not surprisingly, Newsweek never mentions the G.I. Bill as a means to an education, even though this option is available to all healthy individuals regardless of family income. It is the one college financial program that instills discipline, teamwork, patriotism, and self-pride.

The same cannot be said for the Pell Grant. Instead, they recommend start saving early, and often. I believe it will be only a few years before fourth grade students across the country are instructed to save 10% of their allowances so they can send their children to college in 35 years.

Newsweek recommends that parents direct their children's leisure time to create a "well rounded" college portfolio. They recommend such intelligent things as "bird watching, puppetry or square dancing." Puppetry? Does Yale really base their decisions on puppetry?

Newsweek also recommends keeping a scrapbook of awards in these "less fierce" endeavors to impress college admissions officials. "Todd took first place in the Flanders Family Sock Puppet Competition," and "Rod set a record of seeing six various bird species outside his bedroom window." Wow, that does sound impressive on paper.

I am sure when I have kids the urge to care for them will be strong. That why when I am asked, "Dad, what are you going do to secure my college needs." I will toss him, or her, a new set of running shoes, because, as a parent, you can never start too early to get your child in shape for Boot Camp.