Going to university soon

[WasherWoman25]

Why does every post on MN when talking about teens say ‘they will be going to Uni soon / at 18’?

Stats seem to vary between 25% - 35% of UKs teens going to Uni. So approx 1 in 3 or 4 go at 18.

Of the teens I know, it’s definitely a case of more don’t go than do.

I read this as "drop out" of education.
Not become a drop out of society which has the more negative connotations.

There does seem to be a distinct MN "life plan". Uni at 18, then house share while you build your (well paid) career, while simultaneously partying and travelling the world! Then in your 30's, get married, help with deposit from mum and dad for a home. Kids in your late 30's.

I don't know many who in their 20's, were leading this fun, exciting lifestyle. A lot of graduates I've known have struggled to find work in their field. Non graduates tend to be doing low paid apprenticeships or minimum wage jobs. I only know 2 people who travelled extensively, and that was only because they worked in the various places they visited, and they lived at home before and after. But they weren't building a career at the same time.

I'm not saying it doesn't happen, of course it does, but not as much as MN would have you believe. Lot's of kids don't go to Uni. Lots of people are just managing to get by in their 20's and 30's (and beyond). Most people live an average existence.

Same reason so many DHs are 'high earners', the style and beauty board is full of recommendations for £100 jumpers and people think you can't buy a family home for less than £800k. The most vocal demographic on here are well off MC people, or those aspiring to be such, and compulsory uni for their 'very bright' DC goes with the territory.

I think the most detectable is LMC, regardless of prosperity, and that some of the wealthier posts are pure fantasy.

I have a child in this age category and he is not going to uni.

Every single person that chats to him, from people of tills, to random dog walkers, to our friends say 'what uni are you hoping to go to'

When he says none, im going to work, they look really awkward and say 'maybe you will go next year'

My area is middle-class and I think quite mumsnet demographic.

Among his friends none of the boys are heading to uni at 18, but the girls are.

I think there's certainly an element of keeping up with the Joneses on here, and a culture of fawning over wealth. So once the 'everyone in our circle went to uni, and their parents funded it and bought them a little flat' posters get going, people with different experiences opt out of the discussion, leaving the performatively well off to one up each other. I dont suppose the truth needs to get in the way of that.

I know somebody with an art degree and all she can get is short term minimum wage contracts. She is very often out of work in between but her family have always helped. An art degree is largely pointless.

Very true there is an assumption on mumsnet that all teens will do Alevels ( ususlly in a sixth form attached to their school ) and go to unversity.

Almost all of my friends children are either at or are actively planning going to university. Some people don’t know anyone who will go down that route so the average number is slightly irrelevant. For some people the assumption is all these people will go, for others it’s none of them will. I totally get what you are saying though OP as I see it over and over myself - it’s in the 4yo needs an en-suite thread right now “your dss will be off to uni in 6 years” but it’s not mentioned by the OP. It’s often in bedroom or holiday threads and sometimes CoL and it is often said about very small dc with no mention of their future plans by the OP.

Maybe because they have something to discuss about that which they are looking for advice on ? You seem resentful about people discussing this - why?

Yes exactly this!

I’m not resentful at all, someone else has hit the nail on the head I think, posters don’t seem to see outside of their life, because their child will likely go to uni, every other 18 year old must go to uni, because it’s their half term if must be every schools half term, because their GP will see you the same day every GP must.
If the original OP says the child wishes likely to go to Uni, fair enough, makes absolute sense, it’s when all the replies say it without any clue if that’s the likely path of the child / teen in question.

Very true there is an assumption on mumsnet that all teens will do Alevels ( ususlly in a sixth form attached to their school ) and go to unversity.

And not just any university. It has to be a top 10 or RG university. Their DC will then go on to become a lawyer, banker, work in finance, other perceived as greedy profession, and any DC who don't aspire to work in a magic circle/big 4 firm in the city is lacking in aspiration.

I also find that it is parents who are lawyers/work in finance that are the most vociferous on these threads.

No, I am not resentful or jealous at all. DD has a specific career path in mind and would those types of career deathly dull, and really dislikes London.