Parents of USC students encourage independence


Although the majority of college students have frequent contact with their parents, students are more likely to receive encouragement from their parents to be independent and solve problems on their  own — USC students are no exception, according to a recent study.

Daily Trojan

The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Georgia, the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and Emmanuel College.

Though 88.4 percent of the parents surveyed said they were involved in their children’s lives in 2011, far less than were “very involved.”

Most USC students said they communicate with their parents about once per month and share general information, such as upcoming tests, grades, stress, housing and life back home.

“I’ll tell my mom how I’m doing and what tests are coming up,” said Sherryl Bako, an undeclared freshman. “If I’m having a hard time, I’ll tell her, but I won’t go into detail.”

Other students keep their parents more involved in their lives.

“I am in constant contact with them and I share lots of details about my studies, social life and soccer life,” said Alexandra Harrison, a freshman majoring in English (creative writing). “However, they do not monitor me or check up on my work like in high school.”

Although many students tend to keep their problems to themselves, some, like Jabree Webber, a freshman majoring in theatre, share them with their parents and often solve them with their advice.

“They do give me advice, but I feel that it’s not overbearing, because they’re so far away and using their advice is up to my discretion,” Webber said.

In the study, 76.5 percent of parents reported having at least weekly contact via cellphones. Weekly text messages have increased from 31.7 percent to 53.5 percent while weekly emails have decreased from 60.8 percent to 51.9 percent.

The majority of USC students said they talk over the phone, send text messages and occasionally Skype with their parents, as opposed to sending emails, which are used for less personal issues, such as housing, bills and flight information.

“They’re really involved from a financial standpoint, frequently reminding me of when I’m spending too much or when I need to meet deadlines for turning in paperwork and things like that,” said Bruce Cabanayan, a senior majoring in biochemistry.

Aside from some financial issues, most parents don’t involve themselves much with their children’s college lives.

The report claimed parents were more likely to encourage their kids to handle problems on their own.

“My mom knows that I’ve grown up a lot, so she lets me make my own decisions, but she still gives me good advice and is encouraging,” said Stephanie Oguine, a freshman majoring in accounting.

Most USC students are content with their parental situations.

“If they were less involved I think I would have a much harder time because I wouldn’t have the same emotional support that I do currently,” said Damian Pherigo, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering. “If they were much more involved it might be a little bit annoying but I do wish they could visit me in L.A. more frequently.”