DY,
I have no issue with the parents giving willingly, provided the parents are taking care of their own responsibilities (so they shouldn’t be asking for a scholarship for other kids in Yeshiva to pay for their children sitting and learning.
Mod-80,
This isn’t about disparaging talmidei chachomim, because no true talmid chachom would EVER demand a down payment. In fact, most talmidei chachomim would probably reject the offer of a large sum of money for a down payment and ask for the money instead so they could extend their time learning! [OK, slightly a true scotsman argument LOL]
But I think its about establishing a system of dependancy. So you help your kids in Kollel for a few years. They get used to taking. Then they ask for a bit more (help with some tuition) or with a down payment. This generation is becoming very dependant on the (ever decreasing) wealth of the previous generations.