My parents were the same way. Computers are a waste of time and expensive diversion! They steered me into a much more important (to them) career, that was somewhat less my interest, but at least I was good at it: Music.

I'm not kidding.

It took me until less than a decade ago to revert the brainwashing and pursue my actual passion (computers and programming). I immediately doubled both my income and my joy-on-the-job.