Laura Hamilton describes the different types of parents present in a Midwestern University. After examining each type, I labeled my parents as “supportive bystanders” because they have a willingness to help and provide emotional and some financial support, but they do not have the ability or academic experience to lead me.
Supportive Bystanders
Although they wish to provide more financial, professional, and academic support, they are unable to do so because of financial constraints and limited knowledge of the American higher education system. As a result, much of the burden for understanding the education system, figuring out professional pathways, and learning what resources the college offers to students to help them along their career path lies on my shoulders. Because I do not want to be a financial burden to them, I work part-time during college in order to support myself as much as possible without having to rely on them. They did invest in a college prepaid program for me, which significantly minimized the tuition costs for attending Emory.
Because English is not their first language and they sometimes have difficulty navigating American institutions like the healthcare or insurance systems, I often take it upon myself to help them call their insurance company if there are any problems associated with medication or call their doctors’ office. As I’ve gone to college, however, they have learned to become more independent and now rarely ask me to help them with tasks at home.
The Mathai Family 