Robert is a sophomore majoring in accounting against his wishes in order to please his parents, who are paying for his college education. While Robert is passionate about filmmaking and wants to become a director, his parents insist that accounting is a more practical career path. Robert's interest in accounting has caused his grades to slip, frustrating his parents. Robert finally tells his parents he wants to study filmmaking, but they refuse to support this goal and demand he improve his accounting grades.

1. Case study
1

2. 2
Robert is a sophomore in college majoring in
accounting. He has never truly been interested in
accounting, however. In fact, Robert is very
passionate about filmmaking. Since his early years,
he has known that he wants to become a director. He
is only majoring in accounting at his parent’s wishes.

3. 3
 Robert’s parents are paying for his
college, and as a result, he finds himself
in a very difficult situation. Since his
parents are paying for him to be at
college, he understands why they
should have some say in his major.

4. 4
 At the same time, however, Robert
believes that majoring in accounting is
a huge waste of time for him, because
in the future he knows he doesn’t want
anything to do with accounting.

5. 5
Since Robert is not interested in
accounting, his grades have recently
suffered. While his parents stress the
importance of getting a high GPA, he
has been stuck in the 3.2 range
throughout college.

6. 6
Robert has just gotten his grades back
for the spring quarter and he got a 3.1.
His parents are upset that he was
unable to get better grades. They insist
that he can do better and that there is
no reason why he isn’t doing so.

7. 7
 Robert finally strikes up the courage to tell his
parents that he never wants to become an
accountant. He tells them that he wants to become a
filmmaker. Robert’s parents tell him this is an
impractical dream of his. It should be a hobby not a
career path. They insist that he stays in accounting
and tell him that if he doesn’t start getting better
grades his future is in trouble.

8. 8
 Many parents want to be involved in their child’s
college education, especially when they are paying
the bills.

9. 9
 When is this desire to be involved reasonable
guidance and when does it become intrusion? If
students are 18 and adults, shouldn’t they be given
freedom to be responsible for their own actions?
Does Robert’s father have a right to feel upset about
his low son’s low GPA? Should he be allowed to
decide Robert’s major? What should Robert do?