Most interesting topic in this forum. My parents have a Bachelors degree between them. My dad worked extremely hard trying to support his parents and younger siblings and got his degree at a night school. My mom came from a family of 12 children and they did not have enough money to send all their kids to school, so they sent their boys to get some schooling. My mom got only limited schooling.
But, my parents have always valued education very highly, and have always been most encouraging. I am the first one in my family to go for a Masters/PhD (apart from the other half). Some times, my parents don't seem to completely understand the American education system, but they have always been very supportive of my attempts at getting a higher education. They are very happy that their "little" girl is getting all the opportunities that they could not get or afford in their own lifetimes.
I am lucky to have such parents.