Reply #69: And I don't include that as part of the responsibility of a parent.

[Rabrrrrrr]

My parents didn't pay for my education (though they helped), and I thought that was fine. For parents who want to pay, all the power to 'em! I'm sure my parents wished that they could have paid for mine; but I also wanted to do it as much by myself as I could.

If I had children, I might be willing to pay up to half their college, but I would never feel obligated that I had to pay for all of it. I don't think any parent should be obligated. The parent's ethical responsibility ends when the child is out of high school. At that point, it's all extra gifting and good, but never morally essential.

Also, college itself is not an essential, like food, shelter, clothing. One can live quite well and fine without a college education.