SOCIOL 1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Economic Mobility
Document Summary
For past few decades, it has been widely argued that a college degree is a prerequisite for entering the middle class in the u. s. Study after study indicates that higher education is a solid investment we make. What happens when you saddle yourself w/ debt from college and can"t find work. The american belief is that we can experience social and economic mobility and increased social status/ do better than our parents (ticket to good life, at least not backslide). College = time for exploration/figuring things out, have fun, extended adolescence, etc. College = mandatory, there is no other option if one wants to work in a specific field. The idea that college is the logical next step after high school is socially learned. Many environmental factors come into effect - whether it is the media, friends, family, school, etc. College = degree/credential that will help one get a good job.
