Father refuses to fund daughter’s grad school, says it is her tactic to ‘delay entering adulthood’

A 46-year-old father has sparked online debate after refusing to help pay for his daughter’s graduate school education. The man turned to Reddit seeking advice about his decision, which has created tension within his family.

The father says he is “incredibly proud of her and everything she’s accomplished so far” but has concerns about his 23-year-old daughter’s plans to pursue graduate studies. He worries that she may not have clear goals for her advanced degree.

The dad explained that his daughter “is not entirely sure what she wants to do with the degree she’s pursuing.” He believes she is using graduate school as a way to delay entering adulthood, a struggle many relate to in viral content. When his daughter asked what he planned to contribute financially, he told her he “wasn’t planning to give anything.”

Father suggests an alternative approach, but the daughter disagrees

The father initially did not oppose his daughter’s graduate school plans completely. However, he made it clear he would not fund her education “unless there was a clear plan.” His daughter currently works part-time but does not earn enough to cover tuition and living costs.

The man suggested his daughter consider online graduate school so she could continue working and avoid extra expenses. This idea was dismissed by his daughter and her mother (his ex-wife who shoulder most of the expenses of their daughter). Instead, they decided she would move out, get an apartment, and attend school while working part-time. The father says he had little input in this decision.

When the father shared his concerns about this plan, he was told he was “being negative.” He now stands firm on his position, stating “I said no” when asked again about financial support. The father emphasizes that while he supports his daughter as a person, he does not support this particular decision.

The man and his ex-wife both earned their graduate degrees later in life after becoming young parents, a path that’s become more common as career expectations have evolved. This experience influences his view that his daughter’s timing may be wrong. His daughter currently splits time between both parents’ homes and does not pay rent.

Reddit users have offered mixed advice on the situation, Some remind the father that it is his money and his choice. Others suggest he should communicate his love and support clearly while explaining that he is not comfortable financing the degree. Many commenters advise the father to maintain their relationship despite disagreeing about graduate school.

The father remains hopeful about his relationship with his daughter. He says he supports her as a person even though he questions the path she has chosen for her education and career.