When your parents wants to choose your major for you

This is a very important topic of discussion. I think what we need to understand sometimes is the difference between advice and forced decisions. Sometimes, it seems like our parents are literally pushing things down our throats and do not give us the space to decide between the choices that we have. True, there are parents that force us to 'live their dreams for them' but there are also parents who genuinely care for our well being and try to guide us and give us advice especially when it comes to our career choices. I personally learnt that out of 'feeling grown and old enough to make your own decisions' anyone is likely to make mistakes that will cost you a lifetime...my mother helped me chose a career path for myself. At first I was reluctant to involve her in helping me make a decision as far as my own life is concerned. I now realize that if it was not for my mother's 'forceful' influence, I wouldn't have access to the kind of opportunities that I have today. On top of that, I realize that I am absolutely in love with what I am doing and I wouldn't give it up for anything. For this feeling of fulfillment in my life right now I owe my mom a whole lot...and I will forever be grateful for taking her advice into consideration...it was the best decision of my life... :)

I haven't personally been through this tough decision of choosing between the course that my parents like and what I  want, but I do have a lot of friends who have experienced that. It wasn't too good for them, because it's rough doing something you're not interested in. I think there should be a balance between your parents' decision and yours. It's not all good when you choose your course on your own. There are instances when you're not exactly sure of what you want when you're applying for college, and your parents can be a lot of help in reaching a decision. Especially if they were always with you while growing up. They'll know what you're good at and your weakpoints. Having to choose your course all by yourself because you feel it is what you want might be insufficient in making this big decision. My parents have always been very supportive of me. They are passionate about business but they didn't interfere with my decision. I have realized that they should have persuaded me before I entered college. In all four years, I have been to three courses because I've been indecisive along the way. In the end, I took up what they wanted for me (Business Management) as my third and last course. Just three more months I'll be done with college! Shifting was such a troublesome procedure. Imagine all those units I had to throw because I wasn't happy with my course and it just frustrates me. So yeah, I guess your parents' opinions are things to consider. 

Also, most of the times parents think that they know their kids more than anyone! It is them who gave birth, changed diapers, took care of us, chose the school and so on, they tend to carry this mentality even into the adult lives of their children.

In my experience I have seen the cultural background doesn't factor into this. All parents, whether they are from Asia, Europe and US all the same when it comes to their over protectiveness of their children. I have seen parents from an European country who vehemently protested the choice of their daughters boyfriend! I have also seen parents who are cool and let their children chose whatever they want to do - whether it is education, travelling and chosing a life partner - and be ready to be always there for them when they need help.

As children what we can do is be proactive and ask for their advice and discuss everything about our choice, why we picked them and where we think it will take us. It might not help always - absolutely in my case as my parents feel that they need to be parents more than being friends - but at the least we know that we treated them fair.

Parents - sometimes you can not live with them but most of the time you cannot live without them too! ;)

I can really relate to this. My parents did not support my career choice at all. When I tried to tell them my plans, they acted like they didn't even hear me. They went along planning my life as if I didn't say anything. I was lucky enough to get a scholarship. Since money wasn't an issue, I pursued the major I wanted. Now, they can see the merits of my plan, but it wasn't easy. I think parents think they know what's best, and since they're used to planning things for their kids, this can feel like a normal thing to do. If you can't get a scholarship or grant, your options may be more limited. You might want to ask your parents why they want you to get the major they do. Maybe you can focus on the things they think are important and show them how you can achieve them with the major you want. You can tell them that the career you want to pursue requires the major you want. Sometimes, parents don't realize that college and the job market for certain degrees are different than when they went to school. They may be pushing you down the path that led to success for them. Ultimately, you have to do what will bring you success.

Great read. On that note, as valuable as a major in business administration might be, if you're heart is not set on the task of studying the discipline, you may find your education experience a bit lacking. I'm not speaking from the perspective of enjoyment, but from one of practicality. People work harder at doing what they love. It's a natural bodily tendency. You will develop talents within areas in which you wish to foster talent. If you're heart is not set on the tasks and pleasures of business. Praise-worthy presentations to the board,wearing slick corporate suits, having that corner office, and golf with the boss on sundays, then you won't work as hard for these things as the people who want them. Instead if you wish to create, or you wish to help the sick or needy, of if you wish to examine rocks in distant lands, if this what you dream yourself doing, and have done the research to learn exactly what your dream job entails, then pursue a major focused upon that discipline instead. I feel every college student should know their trajectory in life before they even step foot into the university. Not the scripted ones either, don't try and be the typical doctor, lawyer, or accountant, because thousands of just as uncreative and unresourceful people are pursuing the same thing. Be industrious and do your research.