This is a really interesting thread topic, because at the moment, DH & I are really banging our heads against a brick wall with his parents about this issue... bit of background..

And it will be loooong, so my apologies in advance

DH is one of 5 kids, big, in your face, over the top, typical Italian family
Everyone knows everything about each other, and everyone almost always knows it before I do - even if its about me

All of the kids have had to work from a young age in PIL's business - happens to be hospitality, so in result, they are all in that field now, as thats what they all know.
DH never wanted to cook, but got sucked into the tornado of family tradition, and so it is what it is.

The youngest in his family will be 16yrs at Christmas -his brother.
Because there's a big age gap between him and the other 4 kids (15yrs between him and the next youngest, she's 30), he has spent the larger part of his childhood as an 'only child' - the rest of us live a few hundred kms away.

He has always been determined that he never, ever wants to work in hospitality - and is an exceptional soccer player.
Last year, a 'scout' found him watching a soccer game on a field in the middle of nowhere (near where they live) and approached his Dad about playing soccer in a really high standard team near us on the Central Coast.

Nothing much came of it, as DH's parents were not ready to have to deal with it...

Anyway, time passed, and he was found by a few others that noticed him - he was invited to try out for the junior squad for the Newcastle Jets (In the A League) - but had a terrible injury at the time and missed out

Representatives from the Central Coast Mariners saw him afterwards, and he was invited to join a team down here that is the elite team from where many of the Mariners have been chosen - a huge, huge opportunity.
The coach of that team has not given up, hounded & wore down DH's Dad (his brother was wanting it more than you could imagine)
Ideally, the coach wanted him to move down here, as their training schedule is full on - DH's parents wouldn't allow it, as they still only see this as 'a dream' - nothing will come of it

The coach was desperate not to waste the opportunity, and so agreed to have him here as much as PIL would allow.
Its been an absolute s@#tfight all year with unorganisation, but he has made an impact enough, because when he was staying with us for the whole 2 weeks of last school holidays, a scout from Tottenham Football Club (yes, Tottenham in the UK!) - saw him, enquired about him, and asked to see him!
He's interested, but the Football federation in Australia won't allow him to play any higher up yet because of his age.

So, getting back to this thread (sorry to babble on ) - obviously, the boy has the talent.. and trust me, he wants it... despite his parents lack of encouragement or enthusiasm.
He is finishing school in a few months time (yr 10) - his plans were to move in with us (training is about 10 mins from where we live) - and get a job or apprenticeship, as he is not interested at all in continuing at school.

PIL will not allow this, they have said he has spent too long being too spoilt like an only child, and is unappreciative , so therefore not worthy.
They have told him he is not allowed to leave home until he's 18, and if he leaves, they won't support him with anything, financially, but most especially with his soccer.
MIL told me last visit, that she expects him to leave home & ask to move in with us... she has also told me she expects our support, and that we are not, under any circumstances, to support him in any way
My reply was basically , so if he turns up on our door step wanting to live with us, I have to close the door in his face? Her answer was Yes, FIL & I have done enough for you over the years, you can do this for us

Needless to say, DH & I will do EVERYTHING we can in our support for this for him - what an amazing opportunity for a boy from the sticks where usually noone would ever ever find his talent.

DH & I live here, he's old enough to leave home (especially when he's moving into a family situation with his older brother & his family!)

DH & I cannot believe that his parents want so little, and are so un supportive of his dreams... - For him, and for any of our children, I will do whatever I possibly can to give them every dream & the life that they wish for themselves.
Is this not what we have children for? I just don't get it with DH's parents, its unbelievable.

I know I carried on a little, but needed to explain to show how much I think personally, its important to support what your children want.(Obviously in reason - you can't do the impossible, but if its do-able then I think we should give it a go)
In my personal opinion, I believe that creating every opportunity possible for them to do that is my duty as a parent (or as a SIL in our case at the moment!!)