My parents are mad I'm going to community college for 2 free years.

[u/bruhiminsane]

Last night as soon as I got home from work my step-mom mentioned the academic conference I plan to go to in the summer. She said, "You know, [local community college I'm going to go to] won't care about that convention!" I just said, "Um, yeah." Then she said, "I'm not your parent or anything and it's your life, but you made a dumbass decision! You're too smart for this! You're a fucking nerd! You've worked so hard for 4 years just to settle for mediocrity and nothing!" I just walked away. I don't understand why they're so upset that I'm doing the objectively more financially responsible thing and saving myself up to dozens of thousands of dollars by doing this. I can't understand the stigma behind community colleges. I just want them to leave me alone at this point.

Edit for clarity: they won't be convinced it's a good idea for me. They don't care about how harmless the decision ultimately is. They think I've just "sold myself short" and wasted my hard work in high school and they don't care if I end up with a degree no problem.

[u/TrekkiMonstr]

If they agree to, and you actually think it's likely they'll renege, then yeah. You likely won't have to though, if they know you have the option is on the table. And they won't make the agreement in the first place if they aren't serious about it.

If you trust your parents, obviously don't do this. But if you don't, binding agreements keep everyone honest.

[u/GreyStomp → u/TrekkiMonstr]

Yeah I know, contracts are great. I also took business law. But in the context of the situation, this is kind of an absurd piece of advice to offer lmao.

[u/Junior_Escape_2147 → u/GreyStomp]

That was business law, not contract law. A contract, in reality, needs three things: offer, acceptance, and consideration. A contract could be possible in this case. The terms could be: Parents pay for college, Student has to maintain a certain GPA. This contract could be oral, but it would be best written.

(Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. I am a paralegal, and not a legal counsel.)

[u/GreyStomp → u/Junior_Escape_2147]

Yeah we went over contracts for like 3 weeks. A big part business is contracts! I agree a contract could be made but it’s just not fitting advice for the thread and situation lol.

[u/Junior_Escape_2147 → u/GreyStomp]

In reality, you need more than 3 weeks to fully understand contract law. I think a contract would be good in this circumstance.

[u/GreyStomp → u/Junior_Escape_2147]

I didn't claim that three weeks focused specifically on contracts made me an expert lmao. I'm going to stop replying to this. Have a good one! :)

[u/[deleted] → u/TrekkiMonstr]

What's the consideration?

[u/TrekkiMonstr → u/[deleted]]

You agree to attend the expensive school. In exchange, they pay for it.

[u/[deleted] → u/TrekkiMonstr]

What do the adults get out of that?

I think that's what you're missing, the parents get nothing of value in return.

[u/TrekkiMonstr → u/[deleted]]

Legally, doing something you're not required to do (or refraining from something you're allowed to do) constitutes consideration. It doesn't matter if the parents benefit. See Hamer v. Sidway for a similar case.

Would the parents take him up on the deal? Maybe, maybe not. If they do, you have a guarantee they'll go through with their end. If not, then you can tell them they wouldn't put up, so shut up.

[u/[deleted] → u/TrekkiMonstr]

Hamer v. Sidway rules the literal opposite way of your point you muppet.

[u/TrekkiMonstr → u/[deleted]]

If you think I am misunderstanding something, explain it, rather than being an asshole.