oppositional parents
Awesome response from Bullet!
Kevin, 1st parents want what they think is best for their children, but even though they know their children; they can't truly know what will make them happy anymore than you will know until you have some experiences.
My dad was enlisted in the military for 20 years, and yes, he joined because he came from poverty. Being enlisted in the Navy was his college. He loved it, and is very proud of his service and what he learned. Due to what he learned in the military, he started his own company 30 years ago, grossing a million dollars within his first 3 years.
My husband's parents were opposed to him attending USNA in 1979. His dad was a grad from University of Michigan, ex-football player- National Champ Team and Rose Bowl ring wearer... AND an orthopedic surgeon. Though my husband was accepted at U of M; he chose to go to USNA. His parents didn't get it, and were VERY upset! They especially didn't like that he didn't need them financially because in essence they lost what was left of their parental control though they still tried for those four years to find ways to get some of that back, sadly. Becoming a pilot was my husband's dream, and he is very happy with his decision, and he enjoyed the nine years that he was active duty hunting Russian subs on his 6 month deployments to Italy, Bermuda, and he also flew missions over in Rio De Janaiero .
Present- We have two daughters, and our "girly girl" daughter told us 6 mo. ago that she thought she wanted to go to USNA. We were very surprised because our daughters had never been to the Academy, going to USNA was never talked about, AND and our daughters didn't even own one t-shirt or sweatshirt from USNA. She did all her own research, applied for NASS, got in and went to a session in June. I wasn't that thrilled about any of it, and the more I tried to discourage it, the more I pushed her away. (I just couldn't imagine my daughter in the military!) It became evident to me that she may go there just to spite me! Every friend I have has said, "Aren't you worried about her going to war? Can't you make her go to..." I thought, will she go to war? Maybe. Should it be my decision? No. Though I don't really like it, it's not my life.
I thought, after she goes to NASS, she will realize that she doesn't really want that kind of college. It will be so physically challenging...she will join her sister at the University of Michigan, and then I can relax...
When I picked my daughter up from the Naval Academy, I had a different daughter, really! She was visibly so VERY happy, confident and in her element. NASS solidified her desire to attend USNA.
I MADE THE DECISION to be a supportive mom because I want to have a healthy relationship with her, and that can only come from treating her like an adult. Okay, I wouldn't be able to do that if her choice was to become an exotic dancer in Las Vegas, but she is doing something positive and admirable!
Your parents may not be ready to listen to any facts... It may also be difficult to sit down and talk to them like an adult because they still see you as their young son who they still have to guide, and they may want you to just listen to them. They truly THINK they know what is best for you.
My advice would be to continue pursuing what you want to do regardless of their dreams for you. Have a backup plan in place if you are applying to an academy. If you are lucky they will see that you are acting like an adult by taking control of your life. You HAVE to do what you want and dream or you will probably resent them for it. If they will listen, then awesome!
If they don't want to listen, put together a letter including all the great things that Bullet suggested. They can read it again and again; and they can't interrupt you, so you can say all you want to say- ask for their support and tell how much you love them... (guilt them)
If my daughter is a Plebe next summer, I'll be sad, but also very proud of her. I REALLY hope she gets into USNA, because she is applying to ROTC. My hope, now, is to have her trained in the best possible environment to become a Naval officer which I believe is in a service academy, namely USNA.
My husband is an airline pilot now, and I'm a teacher, and even though we can afford to send her to a BIG 10 College in our state; she thinks it's dumb not to get someone else to pay for college, and she thinks it's great to know you have a paying job right out of college! Hard to believe she's 16!!! What's not to respect about that, I ask myself.
My husband thinks not paying $100,000 for this daughter's education would be terrific, and he told her we'd buy her a car if we don't have to pay for her college! -She loved that!
Good luck Kevin!