My mom thought it was a distraction -- driving around as a social activity was a thing. Also, supporting a car meant getting a part time job, which took time an

My mom thought it was a distraction -- driving around as a social activity was a thing. Also, supporting a car meant getting a part time job, which took time and energy away from studying. It may depend on whether having a car is a means to an end, or an end unto itself. For instance, the college bound kids may have had aspirations other than having a car.