
Only child feels pressure of his parents’ expectations
DEAR ABBY: I’m 17 and so is my boyfriend. He is an only child, and all throughout his life, his parents have put a lot of pressure on him. Recently, they’ve been talking about him getting into an honors program in a college. Abby, his parents act like if he doesn’t get in, they won’t be proud of him. He always feels like he’s disappointing them because they never give him any words of encouragement or let him know he’s on the right track.