>In a few, it was clear that the parents could have made different choices along the way--fewer new cars, etc.--and had more money for college if they'd wanted.)
>
>Your think that people who work hard all of their lives to provide for themselves and their children OWE their children a college education instead buying themselves the occasional new car or saving for their own retirement? Seriously?

That's an excellent question and one that more and more parents are being forced to ask themselves because of skyrocketing school costs and stagnant incomes.
My generation never had to face that choice, but my children's generation is right in the thick of it as their children reach college age.
I've seem some families mortgage their home to finance their kids' education, and at the other end of the spectrum I've seen others do absolutely nothing.
No easy answers, but it's another example of the effects of increasing income disparity.