If you love your son, encourage him to NOT study programming.

Even if he gets straight "A's, his competition for a job in technology won't come from around the neighborhood, it'll come from around the world. Why hire a Bachelor's degree graduate for 60K when you can get a PHD for 30K in India, China or the Phillipines?

Tell your son to study air conditioner repair, auto repair, plumbing or carpentry. These jobs, although similarly subject to salary deflation due to cheaper offshore workers coming into this country, can still be viable income sources for enterprising and competent young adults.

Longer term, the salary deflation present in technology isn't likely to improve. R&D spending by the big tech companies isn't likely to improve anytime soon and start ups are hard to get one's foot into. You must encourage your son to pursue economically viable professions.

Best,
BT