How to help non-Buddhists understand a young person's desire to be ordained as a monk? Many non-Buddhists do not understand the appeal or the benefits of becoming a monk. They may not be able to understand why one would want to live such a simple life, and they may not take the decision seriously. 

What are some of the "selling points" for ordination (particularly as a young person just over 18) that a non-Buddhist would understand? Are there any organizations or resources for non-Buddhist families or friends of Buddhist monks (aspiring or otherwise)? How can one help a non-Buddhist loved one understand one's desire to be ordained?
Selling Points

According to the Buddha's teaching in the Samaññaphala Sutta (DN 2), there are a whole host of benefits to the life of a samana (i.e. a monk). In brief:


Freedom from requirement to engage in secular society (social engagements, civic duties, etc.)
Freedom from requirement to engage in secular employment (living as a mendicant means no need for money, etc.)
A blissful state in the here and now (through a moral code, sense restraint, and tranquility meditation)
Wisdom and understanding about reality (through insight meditation)
Supernatural mental abilities (astral travel, reading minds, remembering past lives, etc.)
Freedom from mental defilements of greed, anger, and delusion (through the attainment of nirvana)


I think that about sums it up better than I ever could :)

Resources

Normally a monastery would be the best source; often for Westerners intending to traverse the globe to ordain, that isn't as easy as it should be. 

The Internet has some resources on monkhood for lay people, at least in the Theravada tradition. Here's a couple:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/ariyesako/layguide.html

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/layguide.htm

Coming To Terms

For my parents, actually practicing the teachings themselves helped somewhat; once they understood the benefit of meditation, they were better able to accept what I was doing. Of course, it was only once I'd ordained and they saw how it wasn't really a brainwashing cult that they really opened up and actually appreciate it.