They were either multiple generations from the immigrating family, or half-white, or just had pretty laid back parents in general. I think that it's generally a not-American outlook. "Get a degree in something useful, or go learn a practical skill. Don't waste your time with nonsensical degrees" seems to be a general belief through the rest of the world. Sure you still have plenty of "Creative writing" majors and the like in Western Civilization countries, but, to my observation, it's not anything like it is here where that's acceptable.

I actually had a friend that came into college as a creative writing major. And we all told her "That degree is useless to you, pick somethig better". Thank god she listened. She is now an Education major and wants to go on to be an English teacher.