Families of poor, minority students can block college dreams

Minority and low-income students aiming to be the first generation to graduate college sometimes face an unexpected obstacle in the path to a degree — their families.

A local college professor notes families sometimes stand in the way of young people getting through college. “Right off the bat, college might mean facing off with parents who are unintentionally hostile to the idea of college, but still want the best for their sons and daughters,” says John L. Glenn, an assistant professor of English at Atlanta Metropolitan State College.

“I’ve heard stories of students having to sit out a year because their parents simply refused to provide their tax documents. Others were forced to forfeit scholarships so they could remain ‘at home.’ Really, for many, going to college is about more than just leaving the nest, which many don’t do; it’s like metaphorically taking an axe to the nest and signaling the family identity will never be the same,” he says