Parents and decisions

Decisions are a reality of everybody's life and often times we are put in the precarious situation where we have to make a decision based on one of two things; our own will and desire or the environment that we live in. Sometimes, the choice is very simple, as we can not exercise our will or the environment does not play a major role. In such cases, the verdict is straightforward. What of those moments when the ruling can be based on either one? Take for instance this example; a young lad wants to follow a particular line of work but his family i.e. parents, think he ought to do so otherwise because that line of work is not as rewarding financially. Let us assume the young man is of sound mind and capable of making wise decisions and possesses a good work ethic whereby if applied correctly he reaps a satisfactory reward. In this case it is his will pitted against the environment (his parents' will). I'd be damned if he follows his parents' counsel, because ultimately he has to live his life so why not let him carve out his future? At times parents want the best for their offspring and that is a natural desire, but should it really come at the expense of the fledgling's wishes? The torn young man has to make a decision but he does not want to upset his parents as well. Say he takes up on his parents' advice and goes down a career that he did not want to initially pursue, in all likelihood he will not enjoy this pursuit as he has no desire nor an interest and he may end up as a dismal shadow of what his potentional could have him realise. Parents ought to be there to help in making choices and showing the various paths and the difficulties that could entail with such choices. I do not think it is right for parents to decide for anyone of their children when it comes to such a major decision that will affect someone for the remainder of their lives. Such a practice is very commonplace in third-world countries where the society is very much centralised around the patriarch. I have nothing against how a society is organised but I do believe that people have the right to make choices especially when it is known that such people are capable of doing so. Parents are like a guiding light and the child a lamp that has yet to be lit. The brightness of this lamp depends upon how well the child carries out in its life and the quality of decisions undertaken. Back to the main problem; say if the child chose the vocation of his choosing chances are he will be much more successful had he opted for the other route. In such a case where the child is already torn apart, the parents must try to stand by the child and give him hope that despite having not chosen the more commercially viable field (the one the parents chose) they will be there always for him. I think that is a better formula for success than having the child choose a field of the parents' liking.