In an article on professional networking platform LinkedIn two weeks ago, tech and entrepreneurship adviser Nerissa Golden wrote that parenting in the Caribbean isn’t producing the next Mark Zuckerberg, Zuckerberg being a global metaphor for unprecedented financial success without a college degree.

He, as you know, is the 33-year-old CEO of social networking site Facebook which he co-founded in his Harvard University dormitory room in 2004 when he was only 20. He dropped out of Harvard — a highly sought-after Ivy League school — to complete his project. Today, he is worth US$63.7 billion.

In her article, found at jamaicaobserver.com and nerissagolden.com, Golden asserted that how Caribbean people are raising their children is only preparing them to manipulate other people’s creation rather than develop their own.

To gauge Jamaicans’ feel about the subject, Career & Education asked: would you allow your child to drop out of college to pursue a dream or build a business?

GABRIELLE THOMPSON

“Yes, I would, but the child would have to prove the feasibility of this move and outline his/her plans. Also, they’d have to take some classes in the area that they want to pursue. If it isn’t a feasible area, I’d arrange career management if the university doesn’t offer it, to identify if such a move is necessary, and seek to find other options. The child would have to prove that staying in university wouldn’t allow them to start a business or follow their dream. This is extremely important, especially if I’ll be the one financing their journey.”

ALECIA BLAKE

“I would, because it is very important when you allow your child or children to follow their dreams. I would encourage him and support him in the most positive way I know. I would even research with him to help him to be more progressive and successful. We must allow our children to make their own mistakes in life so that they can learn and improve from them. Life is a learning experience; why not explore and learn, make mistakes, have fun, laughs at yourself and get rid of your fears?”

DAVID GRAHAM

“I would not! No way would I allow it. Why would I give up that for a chance of succeeding and it’s not necessarily a high chance of succeeding? I mean, this is Jamaica, after all. Being an entrepreneur here is a petty ideal that most chase after but never really realise. It is our role as parents to prevent them doing something like that.”

WENTWORTH KELLY JR

“If I had a child, I would support their decision once it is to do something that would improve their life. It’s kind of sad that we have come to this point where parents think it is not okay to have their kids leave university or decide to not go to university because of the constraints placed on self-exploration by society. University is already expensive and then a degree guarantees you nothing. It just takes up more space on a résumé. If my child decides to start a business and their idea is solid I would even help them by investing. I would help in every way possible. School is not a bad thing; it’s just not the standard as society has made it out to be.”

NIKESHIA SALMON GORDON

“I would definitely support my child to follow their dreams or start a business. For too long we have been taught to get a good education and find a corporate job that pays well, and then you are in a job but you are demotivated and unhappy. Our mindset should be to create jobs and be passionate about what we do then we would have a better economy as people will be motivated on the job. In the end, my child can decide to master the skills needed for the job by further studies and personal development.”

A’DONNA DIXON ALLEN

“Once they have a very good proposal and I see that it can work I would support them. A lot of successful people are in the world now who did not attend university. Don’t get me wrong though, having a degree is not bad, but you can be just as successful without it.”

SHAVONNE LISLE

“It depends on the situation and the underlying reason for the child wanting to quit because in today’s job market not having a college degree can be a roadblock to certain aspiring accomplishments. However, it is only fitting for a child’s dream to be supported if it’s feasible and seemingly attainable. But at the same time, if pursing further education and entrepreneurship can be manipulated together it should be fostered.”

SSASHANA-LEE EDWARDS

“I would allow m y child to drop out of university to pursue their dream. Not everyone is cut out for university — the theoretical part of life. Remember that some people are skilled, so you need to foster that.”

STEVY-ANNE GALLIMORE

There is no need to force a child to pursue something that he/she is not passionate about. It is a major waste of time and money. So I would definitely support the decision that they make to abandon the studies in university to go after that which he/she believes will bring the success. I will offer my advice and whatever financial support that is needed. Of course, whatever they are pursuing must be something that I the parent believe has a possibility of bringing success. I’m not supporting any foolishness.

DAINA PARCHMENT

I think that education these days happens a lot outside of the traditional education setting and with the advent of the Internet, I think that children in university are exposed to different ways to build their creativity and so if that means taking an alternative route to achieve, then I guess I will support them.

LAMAR SIMMS

Not at all! That’s the reason they are attending university — to achieve and create their dream. They are already in the setting to do so, so I would not allow my child to drop out to chase a dream. Stay in school!