AITA for not contributing anymore to my daughter’s college costs after years of child support that had a provision for a college fund?

The weight of 13 years of child support payments hung heavy on one father’s shoulders. Having funneled 38% of his income to support his daughter, including a college fund, he thought his duty was done. But when his 18-year-old daughter called, asking for college cash, the truth hit hard: her mother’s mismanagement left the fund nearly empty. His refusal to step in again stirred a family firestorm.

Caught between past sacrifices and new responsibilities, the 26-year-old dad stood firm, prioritizing his young twins and retirement. Yet, his daughter’s hurt and his family’s outrage painted him as the villain. This Reddit saga dives into the messy crossroads of financial fairness, parental duty, and the fallout of broken trust, asking where obligation ends and self-preservation begins.

‘AITA for not contributing anymore to my daughter’s college costs after years of child support that had a provision for a college fund?’

This father’s refusal to fund his daughter’s college after years of hefty child support payments is a gut-wrenching dilemma. He fulfilled his legal duty, including college fund contributions, but his ex-wife’s mismanagement left their daughter stranded. His choice to protect his twins’ future and retirement reflects a hard boundary, yet it’s sparked family strife, with his daughter feeling abandoned.

Financial disputes in families often unearth deeper issues of trust and responsibility. A 2021 Pew Research study shows 41% of parents feel financially burdened by supporting adult children, especially post-divorce (source). The ex-wife’s discretion over the fund, without oversight, created this mess, not the father’s actions.

Financial planner Suze Orman advises, “You can’t save your kids from bad choices, but you can protect your own financial health” (source). Here, the father’s stance aligns with this, prioritizing his household’s stability. Still, his daughter’s innocence in her mother’s errors complicates the emotional fallout.

To move forward, he could guide his daughter toward scholarships, loans, or part-time work, while fostering open talks to rebuild trust. Encouraging her to confront her mother’s role might redirect anger. This story underscores that parental duty has limits, urging families to balance empathy with financial reality.

Here’s the input from the Reddit crowd:

Reddit didn’t mince words, tossing out fiery takes with a sprinkle of outrage. Here’s what the crowd had to say:

These hot takes sizzle with frustration, but do they crack the shell of this family’s pain? Reddit’s rallying cry points fingers, mostly at the ex-wife.

This college fund fiasco lays bare the scars of divorce and financial betrayal. The father’s stand, rooted in years of sacrifice, clashed with his daughter’s dreams, leaving a family fractured. It’s a stark reminder that money disputes can tear at love’s seams. Where do you draw the line between past promises and present needs? If you were in this dad’s shoes, what would you do? Share your thoughts below!