Dreams are meant to be squashed?

Have you ever heard a parent say that it is their parental duty to steer their child away from their dreams and steer them toward a more realistic (regardless of what it means to the child) avenue for economic self sufficiency? I heard it for the first time last night and I thank the Heavens, Gods, Stars, Energy fields that my parents are not like that.

Why would one say that to their child? I can only think that they are truly unaware of what the childs dream involves or means. I can understand that it comes from wanting the child to be able to support themselves and being realsitic about life, you know, we need to eat, drive cars etc but saying it like that just proves how disconnect from the child they really are. What if the child's dream comes true because they pursued it? Going through life like a business deal, expecting favourable rates of returns for everything you do may be alright for some but not necessarily for others. Maybe doing what you love and trying to make something of it is living life for some.

In anycase, in pursuing ones dream(s), one should always be wary of their effect on the people around them.