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The Idea of a Financially Autonomous Raj
posted by CalabrianQueenSTAFFMOD on March 2, 2017 at 5:42 AM
This might be another explanation for why Raj has issues maintaining relationships; he's so accustomed to having all his money issues taken care of by papa smurf that it causes him to develop those clingy, needy habits that are putting off the women he is (better yet WAS) dating. Financial independence could help him shakes those habits.
The maturity he showed in the most recent episode when he refused to take Bernie and Howard's offer is EXACTLY the maturity that would make him appealing to a woman as a long term partner.
Just to share a bit of a relevant personal story , my first two years of college I had a job with the added benefit of tuition reimbursement covering like 30-45% of my tuition and my Dad paid the rest . After the second year he cut me off and I had to pay it myself, it really forced me to develop shrewd financial habits that have helped me to this day.
Moral is, sometimes parents have to leave their children high and dry at a reasonable time for them learn money management, something a lot of people only master through trial and error, and I could see Raj being better for it. And let's be honest, if you want a long term partner it's best not to be a financial wreck.
Reply by poptop-3
on March 2, 2017 at 10:10 AM
Are you saying it's time for the writers to have Raj grow a pair? That might be interesting if the show plays out for a couple more seasons. BUT, his character is the only one that hasn't changed much in ten years right? I wouldn't mind seeing them attempt it. I think Kunal has nailed some very funny stuff over the years when he's given the right material.
Your personal story is pertinent and good advice. I have a few thoughts on that but let's see if anyone else chimes in.
Reply by MurphAndTheMagicTones
on March 2, 2017 at 10:28 AM
I would agree wholeheartedly on getting a child to be financially independent as soon as possible but not so quickly that they're drowning when they've barely had time to check out the swimming pool. Now to me, this only applies if said child was working hard towards getting their college degree and was focused as opposed to meandering and not having a clear goal in mind. I have to admit I could have used a good kick in the ass myself about that. It was pretty ironic my dad was hell-bent for all of us to major in business in college (or something related), but after a lot of trial and error with my older siblings, he backed off when it came to me. And as I've discovered, I'm much better with computers and data management than I am with teaching.
Although I don't expect this to work with Raj, what Erica said is a very sound theory that would work in any other situation. Maybe with 2 seasons to go (and I doubt there will be a 13th season), they'll steer Raj in that direction.
Reply by poptop-3
on March 3, 2017 at 1:18 PM
Dang. Had hoped this discussion would garner more responses.
Reply by FormerlyKnownAs
on March 4, 2017 at 1:57 AM
Well…
Here is one more:
Since he made the decision to give up daddy’s money on his own AND refused to take any from his buds, I think you are right about him reaching a new level of maturity. Truth is; I don’t think Mommy and Daddy ever would have cut him off (unless, of course, he did something horrific). Raj had “worked” them so well over the years; they were putty-in-his-hands.
As for parents cutting off the $$$ when it comes to grown kids…
I think it’s more important to raise kids who WANT to be cut off. That is, instill such a sense of independence in them that they can’t wait to stand on their own two feet…get out there and make it on their own.
--My dad’s kids-raising philosophy that we heard all our growing up: “You will always have a home here if you need it; your job is to make sure you never do.”--
Anyway…
As for pulling the plug on an already $$$-dependent kid--I say yes; but how quickly would depend on their situation. (think, the ‘Sir Thomas More’ quote that ends with ”...you first make thieves and then punish them.”)
Reply by znexyish
on March 4, 2017 at 6:14 AM
This is all fine but it also highlights one of the frustrating things about the show, the now and then complete lack of sense, Raj isn’t a student. Raj is an astrophysicist and not a volunteer astrophysicist. If his parents paid for his rent, credit card bills and such, fine. But Raj would still have all the money he made for the past ten years or so. He wouldn’t have sent it to India because his family is wealthy. So where is the money Raj earned? With that he could pay for everyone’s Comic-Con tickets and celebrity photos. Unless he has an extra-large statue of Green Lantern where he hides it in a secret compartment. Or maybe he also has a novelty Chinese puzzle box he bought of the internet where he keeps a secret flash drive containing the location of his treasure. Yeah it’s a sitcom and comedy and all that and they make this up as they go along, but still....Raj is employed and financially set. Even if he wasn't why would he let Sheldon tell him what to do with it?
Reply by SeinfeldFriend
on March 4, 2017 at 8:40 PM
This was the way I saw it too. Very silly that they made no explanation for this gaping hole. They mentioned massive debt, but I don't see what debt he would have, as up until now, his parents paid for everything! He would have no debt! They will never fill in the hole though, I'm quite certain.
Reply by SeinfeldFriend
on March 4, 2017 at 8:41 PM
In addition... Of Penny could get by on a waitress salary, I don't see why they think we'd believe that Raj can't get by on his...
Reply by CalabrianQueen
on March 4, 2017 at 9:08 PM
Penny isn't really getting by. She's in massive debt and kept her head above water by mooching off guys.
Reply by SeinfeldFriend
on March 5, 2017 at 4:18 AM
Of course, but she hasn't lost her apartment or anything. But my point still stands, that Raj would making more money than Penny was as a waitress. Just seems silly.
Reply by znexyish
on March 6, 2017 at 6:31 AM
That was Cheesecake Factory Penny. Now pharmaceutical rep Penny has no debts and even makes more than Leonard.
Also it seems that the show sometimes either shows off the guys as being respectable professionals or acting like broke first year college students.
Reply by wonder2wonder
on March 16, 2017 at 3:01 PM
At least Raj will now be sure that the women he dates won't like him just for his money.