Grieving parents hit with $200,000 in student loans

[NJCher]

22. I've been teaching in higher ed for decades

And your post is the closest I've ever seen that sums up the situation so well.

In some places, there's actually too much funding of higher education-- like the place I taught in until I couldn't stand it any longer. Because they built the stadiums, rec facilities, etc., they are in such debt that they are letting just anyone in the door now. The students are social misfits and in no way, shape or form are ready for a college education.

In fact they just want to sit in class and text their friends. They really are not interested in the subject at hand.

When I asked why they are even there, they said it was because their parents pressured them to go to school. A trade school or some other option that might be more suitable for them is not an option because the parent wants the prestige of being able to say their kid is in college.

So what I would add to your post is there needs to be a re-thinking of the value that our mechanics, hvac techs, , etc., hold. The world wouldn't run without them and being able to do that kind of work takes a kind of intelligence that the world at large doesn't value. I call it the "fixit" intelligence. I dont' have it, so that's how I know how valuable it is.



Cher