AITA for letting our son use his untouched college fund as a down payment on a house, and not using it to pay off our daughter’s student loans?

Family finances can be a sensitive subject, especially when it comes to supporting children equally. OP and their husband saved college funds for both their son and daughter. Their daughter used her fund for tuition and still needed loans, while their son received a full scholarship, leaving his fund untouched.

OP and their husband gifted the unused fund to their son as a down payment on a house, which enraged their daughter. She believes the money should have gone toward her loans, arguing that it’s unfair he gets ahead while she struggles with debt.

Is OP right to distribute the funds equally, or should fairness account for financial disparities? Let us know what you think!

‘AITA for letting our son use his untouched college fund as a down payment on a house, and not using it to pay off our daughter’s student loans?’

Expert Analysis:

This debate highlights a classic dilemma: is fairness about giving equally, or meeting individual needs?

Psychologist Dr. Susan Newman notes that financial decisions among siblings often fuel resentment. “Children don’t view fairness as simply receiving the same amount but rather having their struggles acknowledged,” she explains.

In this case, while OP’s decision was equal in financial distribution, the daughter perceives it as favoritism because it didn’t consider her educational debt.

Legal and Ethical Considerations:

From a legal standpoint, parents have full discretion over how they allocate their money. However, financial expert Jean Chatzky advises that when dealing with large sums, it’s important to communicate clearly with children early on to prevent misunderstandings. Transparency in financial planning can ease future tensions.

Potential Solutions and Takeaways:

Clear financial planning discussions can prevent disputes.
Parents can consider equitable rather than equal distribution, based on financial need.
Alternative support, such as helping with debt in other ways, might balance the situation.

Here’s what Redditors had to say about this financial debate:

Many Redditors sided with OP, arguing that each child received the same amount, making it fair. Others sympathized with the daughter, stating that fairness should take financial struggles into account.