What I think is shameful is that we do have to. I think education should be socialized, but "socialized" has become a synonym for "dirty, evil communism" here in America. That's another story, no need to re-hash all the arguments for and against.
My mom's issue is that her student debt has blossomed far beyond what it originally was. She consolidates and refinances and bankrupts and everything else she can every year, instead of just paying it. And then she runs up credit card debt as well.

My negative attitude comes from the fact that no one ever told me I had a choice. For as long as I can remember I knew I would go to college. I think when I was a little kid I actually thought it was required, like grade school. My mom taught me that the only way to live is start out in debt, and hope whatever degree you got can pay it off. It never occurred to me until it was too late that some people do the opposite, and work their way up by building a resume and learning skills, and if they're not satisfied, they have a savings they can live off of while they go to school, and a better chance of being able to pay back any loans they might have needed.
In my case, I started an AA and only have some electives left on it, but once I wasn't living with my mom, I couldn't afford to go to school and work. I was already struggling at school without a job. Didn't seem like much point in getting more debt for classes I may fail.