What do you do when your child chooses an odd college major?

Question:

My daughter is a really smart girl. She has decided she wants to major in African Dance. My husband and I have promised her ever since she was young that we will pay for her college education, however I am a bit leery about this major she has chosen. I would understand if someone wanted to major in this if they had years of dance expierience and/or a passion for dance, but she does not have either. I was hoping she would major in pre-med, since she has always talked about wanting to become a Doctor ever since she was a little girl. Do you think it's a bad idea that we pay for her 4 year college education (out of state) in African Dance, which I have no idea what kind of job she'll get out of it. What do you suggest we do?

We asked her why she has chosen this major and her sole reason is that she finds it interesting.

Answer:
Don't worry about it. She'll change it 3 or 4 times before she graduates anyway. Maybe you could suggest she take African Dance classes or choose it as a minor, not an entire major.

However, it does kind of sound like you have her career path picked out for her. Who hasn't talked about being a doctor? Perhaps you shouldn't be living vicariously through her, if that's what you're doing.

Personally, I'm against paying for children's educations. My parents helped me out when I was in a jam, and if you have the means I am all for that, but I think working and paying for you own education makes it much more meaningful. My friends and roommates whose parents paid for their educations constantly skipped class or took useless classes that held them back from graduation because they knew it wasn't on their dime. Maybe if you didn't pay for her education, she would choose something more practical. Just a thought...

What about exposing her to things that relate but are more employable. Like anthropology... she could likely even take an African dance class within that major and yet have more career options. Just a thought.

praise the lord & get her to accept that as a minor until she knows more about college & careers

WOW! no offense but that is kinda weird! umm... maybe she has another reason for getting such a weird major(I didnt even know there were majors for that). If not I don´t think that you should pay for her, thats pretty dumb waste of time!

Let her do it! SHe may change her mind later on down the road like most college students do.

why dont you make a deal with her, mayor in something more practical, but also stusy african dance. good luck

What do you do when your child chooses an odd college major?

Hot Topic