Why does Darry want Pony to have a better life than him in The Outsiders?

Darry was well on his way to earning a college football
scholarship when his parents were killed. The only way he was able to keep his younger
brothers from being separated was to take on the responsibility of becoming the adult
head of the household. So, Darry gave up his college future, working two jobs to keep
the family together. In Sodapop, who quit school and pumps gas, Darry already realizes
that his middle brother will never make it out of their neighborhood. But Darry sees
that Ponyboy has a chance to leave the greaser lifestyle behind him if he can stay on
the straight and narrow. Pony is intelligent, makes good grades, loves to read and
write, and runs track. Sensitive and introspective, Pony--like Darry--is not a greaser
at heart. Pony's friends all realize that he is out of place with the others, and
they--like Darry--have high hopes that he will graduate from high school and become the
first of their group to head to college. Darry doesn't like working long hours, and he
wants Pony to enjoy a better life than he is forced to endure.