No, Your Kid Can’t Be Whatever He Wants When He Grows Up

The unrealistic expectations that American parents set for their children remains one of the saddest aspects of American culture. Much of this stems from parents’ living vicariously through their kids.

Although the United States indeed offers more opportunities than most countries, it’s important to be realistic.

If a child has parents under six feet tall, his likelihood of becoming a professional basketball player is diminished. It’s not impossible. But it is highly unlikely.

Physical shortcomings alone, however, don’t determine a person’s career limitations. Even in America, who a child’s parents are and what they do matter career-wise. Will a kid really be inspired to make six figures when he sees his parent washing dishes or vacuuming a rich person’s rugs for a living? There’s nothing wrong with washing dishes or cleaning. It’s just that people delude themselves if they think they’re going to inspire their kid to be a career Ace when they’re a career four.

Working-class parents who try to groom their kids to jump class often create unrealistic expectations. This sometimes results in their kids’ wasting years pursuing degrees they’re not interested in because the degrees are allegedly lucrative. This can lead to would-be-successful students burning out of college.