[fullmetal]

In a country where healthcare is tied to jobs/job security, I think it's understandable that parents want their kids to have the best chance to land the best jobs available.  There are stories of top-tier university alumni who don't have jobs or stability, and that's not a good thing in this day and age where the social safety net isn't robust.  

The other motivation for parents shoving their kids upward is bragging rights/status.

Rowing is a strange sport to include here.  Nothing beats hard work in rowing, and rowing is miserable enough on its own that there's no way kids would stay with it if they didn't value the experience.  Squash...that's a game.  Technique, hand-eye coordination, strategy -- all part of their game.  Rowing?  Train hard, row your fastest.  Doesn't matter what the other crew is doing.  Just do your best and let the chips fall where they may.

[fullmetal]

In a country where healthcare is tied to jobs/job security, I think it's understandable that parents want their kids to have the best chance to land the best jobs available.  There are stories of top-tier university alumni who don't have jobs or stability, and that's not a good thing in this day and age where the social safety net isn't robust.  

The other motivation for parents shoving their kids upward is bragging rights/status.

Rowing is a strange sport to include here.  Nothing beats hard work in rowing, and rowing is miserable enough on its own that there's no way kids would stay with it if they didn't value the experience.  Squash...that's a game.  Technique, hand-eye coordination, strategy -- all part of their game.  Rowing?  Train hard, row your fastest.  Doesn't matter what the other crew is doing.  Just do your best and let the chips fall where they may.