Honors Student Jailed for Missing School Refuses $100,000 in Assistance (VIDEO) What do you think of Diane Tran refusing to take the money?
Honors Student Jailed for Missing School Refuses $100,000 in Assistance (VIDEO)
If you've heard of Diane Tran, you've probably been outraged on behalf of the high school honors student sentenced to jailtime for missing too much school. The 11th grader has been working two jobs to help support her family, often leaving her too tired to make it to high school on time. I felt bad for her too. Until today.
It turns out the national outrage has fueled a fundraising campaign to the tune of $100,000. That filled me up with happy thoughts, until I heard Tran had refused to take the money.
I'm sorry, what did she do? And where, exactly, are these girl's parents?
Her refusal is kind of heartwarming and nice. The hard-working honors student said that there are other kids who could use the money more than she can. Probably. But the short-sightedness shows she needs an adult to step in and make this decision for her.
The reason we all felt so strongly about helping Diane Tran in the first place is because she has been missing school to do something her parents should be taking care of. No kid should have that kind of burden on her shoulders, and we were angry at the judge, but angry too at a society that makes a child a breadwinner. Now she is being given a chance to help support her family without having to miss school. It's righting a societal wrong.
And by refusing it, frankly, Diane Tran is allowing herself to be victimized again. She's no longer the poor kid who had no choice about her rough lot in life. She's a 17-year-old who is telling society to take a hike, she'd rather screw up on her own. Her parents should be out there telling her NOT to do that.
You can call it admirable that a kid wants to work hard and do it all herself. But sadly, we've seen she can't do it all. And we were angry that she was being expected to. But if Diane Tran doesn't accept a way out, doesn't take advantage of the chance to better her situation, frankly our anger on this kid's behalf is a big, fat waste of time.
Either she legitimately needs to be out of school to work her butt off, or she really could get her butt to class because she doesn't need money that badly. There isn't room for martyrdom when your future is on the line.
What do you think of Diane Tran refusing to take the money?
The younger sibling lives with a realative. The college student, that is a good question, I was wondering this myself.
Quoting Venae:I wonder why, at age 17, they haven't put her in foster care, especially if she's caring for a younger child. I wonder too about the college age sibling - is she supporting him/her too?
You know... I know this may sound a little bad but even an honour student at the age she is at is still her age and may have a sense of pride. Especially since she has been working the way she has and what responsibilities have been left on her. I would say that this could be a reason why.
She has been emancipated. It amazes me that people are suspicious and negative because she refused the money. So many people believe that hard times demands outside assistance. The concept of someone, even at her age, digging her heels in and being determined to do it herself has become a foreign concept. That is what is sad to me. The idea of her being a victim is someone's opinion... but apparently not hers of herself. She apparently was not looking for "a way out". Why does everyone think she needed to be rescued? Yes, it is extremely hard for her. Yes she is struggling. It is as though society today does not believe anyone should have a hard time or struggle. As soon as stuff gets difficult they start looking around for someone to fix it and make it easy. Instead of putting her in jail, the judge could have found a multitude of ways to work with what she was doing to support her effort without sticking her in jail. There used to be a time when pride prevented people from taking a hand out simply because it was available. I can't even say I would be as strong as her and not accepted the help. But putting her down and questioning her motives because she wants to see this through herself?
I don't understand how they can jail someone for missing school. Can't you quit school at 16? This was a waste of tax payer money.
How shocking in this day and age that someone doesn't want to take charity she wants to stand on her own two feet. The Op says she needs an adult to step in and help her make decisions, Sounds like this girl is more mature than most adults.
Her asian heritage is that you work for what you get, too bad more in this country don't follow suit. Asian custom is, the oldest daughter is to look after the others, to be sure the brother finishes school. I've see no mention of the mother, seems the father divourced his wfe and left. If our natural born kids here would get off their I-Pads, computers and do some honest work, this country would be a heck of a lot better. All my boys delivered newspaprs and all kids worked when teens, boys shoveled snow, mowed lawns as wll and later worked in resturants, girls worked as well. I went to work at14, in a 5 &10, babysat as well, now kids want it handed to them, WHO IS AT FAULT?? parents
All good points and I'll never knock anyone who wants to get things done on their own. But in this case, perhaps someone with a little more maturity might be better to make a decision of such huge magnitude. If you have to work two jobs to support yourself and still try to get to classes - and pass them - a little financial assistance can get you over the hump and get you through school without putting yourself in the hospital - or landing in jail.
Quoting GertieK:She has been emancipated. It amazes me that people are suspicious and negative because she refused the money. So many people believe that hard times demands outside assistance. The concept of someone, even at her age, digging her heels in and being determined to do it herself has become a foreign concept. That is what is sad to me. The idea of her being a victim is someone's opinion... but apparently not hers of herself. She apparently was not looking for "a way out". Why does everyone think she needed to be rescued? Yes, it is extremely hard for her. Yes she is struggling. It is as though society today does not believe anyone should have a hard time or struggle. As soon as stuff gets difficult they start looking around for someone to fix it and make it easy. Instead of putting her in jail, the judge could have found a multitude of ways to work with what she was doing to support her effort without sticking her in jail. There used to be a time when pride prevented people from taking a hand out simply because it was available. I can't even say I would be as strong as her and not accepted the help. But putting her down and questioning her motives because she wants to see this through herself?
So, the answer is... it's her fault.. not the idiot from the government who used his authority to punish hard work instead of looking for a way to encourage her. Punish hard work... that's really great. That makes for such a good example. She has exemplary ethics, and I think she should be applauded. My kids worked too, as soon as legally allowed, and none are afraid of hard work. They have all been through some rough times, but their first thought wasn't "how can I get someone to rescue me?" I grew up in Asia, and that particular country was very poor. But you know what? They didn't expect anyone to rescue them. They just got up every morning, put their best foot forward and did their best. Every single day. Our country has gotten priorities so twisted, and nothing makes it so obvious as a situation like this. Punish a spirit of independence and reward dependence.
Extreme Moms: seriously?
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on May. 31, 2012 at 5:31 PM