Retirement provision and children's education in financing?

Since the introduction of the BA/MA degrees, it is no longer as easy as before to finance one's studies independently. Mandatory attendance, fixed examination schedules, higher examination frequency, and strict standard periods of study hardly allow for exceeding the standard period of study anymore. And rents have risen massively in all university cities.

I always wonder what kind of image people have of studying as it used to be. Never in lectures, hardly any exams, and exceeded the standard period of study by 5 semesters... was that really so great? People who failed Math 2 definitively after 7 years, when it would have been better for them after 3 semesters? Fully financing oneself with part-time jobs is not ideal, but it should not be necessary either because of maintenance obligations and Bafög. Working 40 hours a month does not cause studies to fall apart unless one was not suitable for it from the beginning. Exceeding the standard period of study was actually the norm for us, at least in the bachelor’s program. In the master’s program, many then turbocharged with one semester less, so it more or less balanced out ;)

Grandpa talks about the war… it didn't hurt.

Since the introduction of the BA/MA degrees, it is no longer as easy as it used to be to finance your studies yourself.

I claim the opposite: It has never been easier to finance it yourself. Financing yourself doesn't necessarily mean earning the money through a part-time job. In case of emergency, you get the required money/living expenses thrown at you through low-interest student loans. I believe the average German is generally just very spoiled when it comes to the topic of (!free!) education in their home country. Just look at the States, there people are allowed to cry, but definitely not in the (education) paradise Germany. Even a child from a Hartz IV family can study medicine here.

Our daughter goes to the Danish school. If she wants to do her [Abi] AND still study AND not work on the side, she is welcome to go to the neighboring country for her studies. There, students get their expenses reimbursed. Otherwise, she is welcome to stay with us and commute to the place of study (Flensburg, Kiel, Hamburg.... all quite simple to reach by train). I will worry about that when the time comes, and until then, a lot of water will have flowed under the bridge. Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.

low-interest student loans

....a loan that the student receives themselves, without reporting to the parents, so independently as an adult and without having to provide collateral. That's a great thing, yet it is not used very often, as I hear in my surroundings. On the other hand, I regularly hear about painful sacrifices parents have to make so that their children can study.
In view of this option(s), the thought arises that some parents simply prefer to "suffer" and talk about their own hardships because of the children.
Maybe I would have given it to them if I had had it, but that was not the case. Because of these and other similar cases in my circle of acquaintances, I know from my own experience what is possible even WITHOUT mom and dad.
With so much supposed suffering and so many dream paradises elsewhere, it always amazes me that people stay here; and if they leave, they come right back again.
From some YOUNIQ student apartments I know of numerous parents who of course pay the rent for the fancy apartment, naturally take the children there, pick them up, visit weekly, send healthy food packages, want to inquire about the child's neighbors and constantly (often without prior notice) visit (check on) the children (adults). Completely intrusive controlling behavior by parents is not an exception, but they call it love and care... a fine line, for the children, it is just embarrassing and yet... whose bread I eat, his song I sing... the young adult child has no other choice. Exactly that is described by the author and generational researcher in the aforementioned book.
The ones who suffer are the children; that then raises the question of what is ultimately really harmful to the development of a young person.

To my bonus child and if I ever have my own children, I wouldn't recommend studying but rather doing an apprenticeship in building services engineering or something similar because there's a massive shortage of young talent there and the industry is booming. The requirement for a master craftsman certificate must be dropped in the next few years, then start your own business and earn a fortune. Then I'll let myself be supported and they can finance my face study, which I had to quit for financial reasons. :p

Hello and thank you very much for the mail regarding the topic I raised. I did not want to start a discussion about upbringing nor about right and wrong when it comes to financing studies. For me, the focus is more on the question of what exactly is being done for it or not. I have understanding for all views.