We tell youngsters they can be whatever they choose for three reasons. The first, we believe and hope, will inspire them to become anything they choose. The second reason is that parents want to feel good about themselves, believing that they done their best to motivate their children. And the third reason is that we don't want them to feel limited in any way because of their family situation or financial circumstances. I remember when my son was younger, I would tell him that he could be anything that he wanted to be. He'd look at me like I was crazy and say things like doctor or lawyer. I didn't tell him that he could be either one of those things, I told him that he could be anything that he wanted to be. If he wanted to be a doctor, then he could be a doctor. If he wanted to be a lawyer, then he could be one too. There are lots of other choices out there for him to be interested in so it doesn't matter what he chooses to be as long as it isn't something illegal or dangerous. As he got older, he did end up choosing what kind of doctor he wanted to be. A pediatrician. He also chose to go to medical school instead of college. During his residency, he decided to specialize in otolaryngology--head and neck surgery. So now he's a surgeon who works on the ears, nose, and throat (ENT) disorders of children.