Parents refuse to pay for 17-year-old's $45 marine biology elective field trip, flip out when teacher offers her free ticket: 'For the past 3 days they have been calling me ungrateful and spoiled'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Apr 29, 2025 9:00 PM EDT

A lot of the time, many of the opportunities that are offered to us in school are something that is only appreciated in hindsight (if at all). There is no denying that the educational system is far from perfect, but there are some hardworking teachers and institutions that try to make the student experience worthwhile, and something that students will benefit from.

Ultimately, though, most pupils only feel the full benefit of the education they are receiving if there is a harmonious relationship between themselves, their school, and their home life. If one of these things isn't working as it should, they are likely to suffer the consequences. This can be painful at any stage, but especially when students are teenagers and just beginning to discover their own interests and independence. It is a time when, within reason, it is important for parents to be supportive what they are interested in educationally. 

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  • 01

    AITA for accepting money from a teacher after my parents said no?

    I, (17F), have always had a love for science. This year, I am taking a Marine Biology elective and it has been a blast! The content is very different from the typical science courses offered at my school, but that's what I like about it. Next month, after AP exams, the class will be going on a field trip. When I heard about the trip I was very excited and had my parents sign my waiver right away. The trip is $45. When my parents learned the trip isn't free they told me I could no longer go. I wa
    via Greedy-Lawyer8840

  • One high school student found herself struggling with this after her parents refused to let her go on a field trip because they needed to pay for it. She was confused, as they had previously paid for field trips.

    When she told her teacher she could no longer attend, she was offered a free ticket on the trip that was sponsored by the school. The student accepted it, and her parents were angry when they found out. She wanted to know if she had done something wrong.

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    via Tim B Motivv

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 03
    I respected their decision, however when I told my teacher why I could no longer attend she told me about how the school sponsors extra tickets and that there were some unclaimed ones. When I told my parents about this they told me not to accept "handouts" because it would be embarrassing for them. There point felt a bit self-centered, so I submitted my waiver and accepted the free ticket. Last week my parents got the confirmation email about the trip. For the past ~3 days they have been calling
    via Greedy-Lawyer8840
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    Cheezburger Image 10499622144
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 05

    Outsiders assured her that she hadn't made a mistake.

    ExtremeOk9633 You are not at all the a_h_le. I also study Marine Science, and I hope you can continue to study it in the future! The world would be better for it :). It's wonderful that the school is supportive of your endeavors, and your parents should be as well. It's experiences like these that will shape your interests/goals, and it's your parents' job to support them. Maybe you should have a serious conversation with them about why they're so opposed to the trip, and explain how much it mea
    via ExtremeOk9633
  • 06
    Ok-Knowledge9154 NTA I would also tell your parents straight up that them "trying to make an example out of you" is really just embarrassing themselves to friends and family as it makes them look like unsupportive parents! If they genuinely couldn't afford the cost of the trip then that's exactly what the school sponsored tickets are for and if they could then their just cheap jerks, "but hey if you don't care what everyone else thinks of your parenting, then why should !!?!" Then go and enjoy t
    via Ok-Knowledge9154
  • 07
    anditurnedaround No! NTA At first by your title, I was wary. Since it was not actually a teacher paying. It's fine. Your parent's pride has been hurt. It's odd they are telling anyone if that's the case. Is there some other reason they would not want you to go other than not being able to afford it? I can't imagine any parent Not Wanting their kid to go on a field trip in a subject they really like. Hopefully they will swallow their pride (if that's what's wrong) and be happy you had the opportu
    via anditurnedaround
  • 08
    biolochick Ten bucks says it's related to the parents pushing them into another path (e.g., law, medicine) and getting worried their child has (gasp) a mind of their own. Getting close to university time so expressing a strong interest that diverges from their plan may be the reason for all of a sudden being unsupportive of interests.
    via biolochick
  • 09
    Spiritual-Relief-167 NTA. there's definitely something more there for their reasoning of really not wanting you to go but i think you should 1000% go and maybe it's some kind of jealously in not too sure. def some sh_to unpack there
    via Spiritual-Relief-167
  • 10
    DeWin 1970 Accept it and go on your trip, if they try to stop you, tell them the school already has the waiver. I was in ocean biology myself at Sunset High in Beaverton, Oregon, our trip to the upper Oregon coast was quite fun. Oh, and the trick to winning the sand crab race is to keep the crab in your cupped hand with water, it keeps them refreshed :)
    via DeWin1970
  • 11
    Instruction Top4805 NTA. I can't imagine any caring parent denying their child a wonderful educational opportunity out of misplaced pride. I wonder if they would think differently if you had been awarded the ticket for excellence in class? Which would be a good way to frame it to them. Your teacher obviously felt you are an engaged and deserving student to offer you the ticket. Please enjoy the trip! >
    via InstructionTop4805
  • 12
    Character-Twist-1409 NTA but can't they cancel the signed waiver. If you're 17, don't you still need permission to go? Tread carefully. And if they do retract permission embarrass them for that...or if you need to remind them that you will tell everyone if they do retract and why which would be far more embarrassing. Good luck
    via Character-Twist-1409
  • 13
    Swim-Last NTA. In the grand scheme of things, it feels like they are trying to hold you back from an opportunity due to their personal issue with accepting "handouts". Sometimes people go through financial issues, but that's why there are options for help. This is just one of those cases, and there's no reason to feel shame over that. Why should you miss out on an opportunity over an ego?
    via Swim-Last
  • 14
    Biotoze NTA. So are they gonna have the same stance when it comes to scholarships and grants for college?
    via Biotoze
  • 15
    the_greek_italian NTA. I think your parents' behavior is a bit strange, especially because you said they've paid for more expensive trips prior to this. I don't think it's fair that they are going around and telling people how "ungrateful" you are when this was something sponsored by the school and your teacher was there to help you. What I suspect is that maybe one or both of your parents have become tight with money, and they don't want to say anything but are too high in their pride to accept
    via the_greek_italian
  • 16
    Remember, you're not selfish, and none of this means you're ungrateful. You're almost done high school, so worst case scenario, you'll be gone after the summer.
    via the_greek_italian
  • 17
    CentipedeEater You made the right choice NTA
    via CentipedeEater
  • 18
    Dannie_Arts NTA if they are so embarrassed by people finding out, why are they telling people? And why are they offended you want to learn ???
    via Dannie_Arts
  • 19
    runningcrafter NTA, I hope you have fun on your trip and learn a lot ◆
    via runningcrafter
  • 20
    DracoRubi ΝΤΑ Your parents are being pretty weird about this. I have some feeling that they may be having economic issues and are ashamed to admit it? In any case, have fun with the extra activity!
    via DracoRubi
  • 21
    Travellingone777 NTA I wonder what their real reason was. They should not be trying to "shame" you in front of their friends or whoever. That's ridiculous. It's poor parenting. It's childish.
    via Travellingone777
  • 22
    Itchy-Confusion-5767 NTA. Your parents are making this about themselves, and their feelings. Your confusion stems purely from not having been the one to pay for all the things yet, and I don't think most people gain that until they have to. The cost of everything is skyrocketing right now, and so the smallerish extras many families used to be able to comfortably afford are now back to being something they might axe.
    via Itchy-Confusion-5767
  • 23
    The extra tickets and funds is something that a lot of PTAs/PFAS help to fund. They know there are kids from a variety of family's who need extra help. Literally the only ones who know you have a free ticket are you, the teacher, and your parents. And anyone they choose to tell. Your parents trying to shame you to everyone they know - that is more embarrassing than just graciously accepting the ticket. They are just in a spot of emotional turmoil themselves, and are acting badly.
    via Itchy-Confusion-5767
  • 24
    CodexAnima NTA. I'll tell you an adult secret. A lot of parents actually pay for an extra ticket to field trips like this for situations exactly like yours. Because we don't want money to make kids be left out, especially for bright kids in a science program. These are the parents that do carpool to all the robotics and science competitions, simply because we can. We remember not getting to go, or having to struggle to go on these events.
    via CodexAnima

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