College and Parental Influence
Posted: 2007-07-31 03:31am
I've got a little bit of a predicament...
I'm going away to college this fall, up at UC Berkeley. Unfortunately, thanks to the 1960's and 70's, the school has gotten a rep of "Ultra-liberal heathens"...a reputation that I wonder if it deserves beyond any other Public college. But that's another issue.
The church I've grown up in has a certain Ministry for "Parents with students going away to college." I'd heard that ministry advertised, and crossed my fingers hoping my parents wouldn't consider it. But alas, I recently found out that my mom has been contacting various churches in the area, and even gave me the e-mail address of a "Student to get you plugged into Christian groups."
I put it off for a few days, and found out today that he called my home to tell my mom that I hadn't contacted him yet.
Now, I know my mom has the best intentions, and is just worried that I'd somehow abandon my faith without her support. I have no bitterness against her--I can imagine a parent getting that sort of mindset, along with all the other worries of their kid leaving home.
But at the same time, I can't say I'm not frustrated. First, I'm just a little insulted, because I've always been quite a bit more mature than my peers, and my parents have always given me the benefit of the doubt. Secondly, I can't help but feel exasperated that this is the sort of well-intentioned thing that drives people to rebel at college age. The idea of having some "dude" simultaneously befriending students and calling their moms to tell of their progress, seems annoyingly superficial, and a bit suffocating.
My question is this: do you think this is an undue level of parental influence? Secondly, if it is, how should I respond without being disrespectful, but still not giving off the "rebellious" impression that they're worried about? If any of you are parents, what do you think would be the best reaction?
I'm going away to college this fall, up at UC Berkeley. Unfortunately, thanks to the 1960's and 70's, the school has gotten a rep of "Ultra-liberal heathens"...a reputation that I wonder if it deserves beyond any other Public college. But that's another issue.
The church I've grown up in has a certain Ministry for "Parents with students going away to college." I'd heard that ministry advertised, and crossed my fingers hoping my parents wouldn't consider it. But alas, I recently found out that my mom has been contacting various churches in the area, and even gave me the e-mail address of a "Student to get you plugged into Christian groups."
I put it off for a few days, and found out today that he called my home to tell my mom that I hadn't contacted him yet.
Now, I know my mom has the best intentions, and is just worried that I'd somehow abandon my faith without her support. I have no bitterness against her--I can imagine a parent getting that sort of mindset, along with all the other worries of their kid leaving home.
But at the same time, I can't say I'm not frustrated. First, I'm just a little insulted, because I've always been quite a bit more mature than my peers, and my parents have always given me the benefit of the doubt. Secondly, I can't help but feel exasperated that this is the sort of well-intentioned thing that drives people to rebel at college age. The idea of having some "dude" simultaneously befriending students and calling their moms to tell of their progress, seems annoyingly superficial, and a bit suffocating.
My question is this: do you think this is an undue level of parental influence? Secondly, if it is, how should I respond without being disrespectful, but still not giving off the "rebellious" impression that they're worried about? If any of you are parents, what do you think would be the best reaction?