My folks were like that also, not so much towards me as my younger sister. They told her the same line, don't bother with college your not smart enough etc etc. She did go to college and did graduate - but it was very difficult for her as our folks with held not only words of encouragment but financial support as well.

I don't know why they did that. They are still alive and it is not easy to ask them why. They have said that they didn't want any of us to get a "big head" or to "think too highly of ourselves". Plus they say that my sister is creating drama around her youth and that it wasn't that big a deal. Only us kids know different.

Even if your folks were alive and you did confront and ask why, it is not likely that they would have given an answer that makes any sense. Because treating a child so cruely doesn't make any sense.

I'm sorry you were treated like that when you were young. I wish I could tell you something more helpful.