For better or worse, here in North America the government does mandate and provide, with little choice, the education it deems necessary for its young citizens

For better or worse, here in North America the government does mandate and provide, with little choice, the education it deems necessary for its young citizens to become functioning members of society. If someone chooses to pursue a hobby beyond that, which is what the parent seems to be referring to, why shouldn't they have full choice of what they want to study and how they want to study it? Especially in a capitalistic democracy.