Why do we celebrate stupidity?

Question

Moreover, why do we hold educated people in such disdain?
I'm english, but attend university in America, where being educated is something highly celebrated. Whenever I go home though, I can't help but notice that, although subtle, there is a constant expression from the media and people in general that being in university is not something all that greatly positive. I'm from a working-class council-estate single-parent family, and I honestly don't know too many middle-class people, but the ones I do know do revere higher education a lot more. But why do the general masses not?
I hate to say that it's because ignorant idiots are what we can better relate to, but I'm running out of ideas here. I know this is't just me, I've spoken to other people, an American professor who lived in england for a short time included. He called it "towns vs. gowns."
I don't expect people to jump for joy that I'm still in school, but I don't rexpect blatant hostillity either.
Thoughts?

Don't you worry, I am staying in America! Cultural differences aside, I can get a 5 bedroom house with three bathrooms in a temperate rainforest area for about the same price as I could get a 2-bedroom ex-council flat in sussex :D

ShyGirl- That's really sad. I think in my year after A-levels only 3 or so people went on to university. I also think I could have done a lot better in my GCSE's if *I* hadn't have thought that doing the work made me a nerd.

I am enjoying being in college, in America everyone is sort of expected to go, so there are people from all sorts of backgrounds.
But even my mum has expressed the opinion that I shuld have left school at 16 and gotten a job, I think students are just seen as sort of leeches, you know? I just want a better understanding of why, and how it got to be this way, and if education were more appreciated than perhaps there wouldn't be the sorts of horrific social problems with lads and chavs and townies and 17-year old girls along in council flats with babies that there is :/

Hillbilly- I pay for myself to go to college, I don't know exactly how uni in the UK works so far as admission and tuition costs, because I left right after A-levels, but I'm pretty certain you're expected to pay for yourself.
I'm also certain an amount of the taxpayer's money goes towards it, but for the most part I think it's an investment. Who will be the next doctors, teachers, business managers, etc. Who will design houses and bridges and who will put a stamp of approval on the safety of such structures?
If you can drive to work in a car that doesn't explode, on a road that doesn't let you slide off, to a building that doesn't fall down around you, then you probably have someone who went to a university to thank somewhere along the line.

(that was assuming you were talking about the government paying for universities in part, I'm not entirely sure, sorry if I caught the wrong end of the stick :) )

Answer 1

i know what you mean but we seem to have an attitude in this country where people think they are owed a living rather than having to work for it and until recently thought people like jade goody where the bees knees until she showed her true colours, there seems to be a bit lack of respect for anything over here be it education, older people, each other what ever, I'm a civil engineer but the job is not held in high esteem as it is elsewhere because we allow anyone to call themselves an engineer, washing machine engineers and the like, in France people are not allowed to call themselves engineers unless they have formal recognised qualifications and they are held in the same esteem as a doctor, that's one of my chips off my shoulder, bye bye

Answer 2

I'm from a working-class, single parent council estate family from Glasgow and I was the only girl in my whole year to go to university. The only girl out of at least 50.

I wasn't bullied at school but I was made to feel like a saddo by doing my homework, not skipping class etc etc.

It's such a shame that there is this mentality in this country. So many other girls in my class could have gone on to uni - not that I'm saying you are any worse off for it - but I think they were all put off by how people react to it. Where I came from we weren't destined to do anything except copy our parents. Uni etc was for the middle class folk as how could we possibly compete for the same jobs etc.

I hope you are loving being at school and making the most of it.

Answer 3

I don't think it is what people say about education that is so important, but, rather, what you come away with at the end of the process. I still think the quality of education is still, higher in Britain.

I met a person who had two-degrees from American universities, and yet, had no idea who Nelson Mandela was. The problem with America, in a nutshell, is that if you do a 'pooh' there it is celebrated!

Answer 4

What I find really depressing is that you find American's have a better attitude towards educated/intelligent people. Remember, this is the country that elected the shrub because he was "just like regular folks" and Al Gore was a too smart. This is also the country that brought the world Paris Hilton, etc.

Answer 5

i might want to accept as true with that after I first spoke of Brian i presumed how thick is he and his voice is a nightmare. yet what's astonishing is the actual shown reality that our us of a produces losers in ever walk of existence and we rejoice that as no matter if it really is an fulfillment. something we do badly it really is taken into consideration as a victory and celebrated with hearty cheers look at Tim Henman what did he ever win ???? properly see a failure. the present international Athletics Championships excuse for the shortcoming of medals genuinely none except they have not were given the potential to win. And as you say the wasters of the international like Pete Docherty who's legendary for being a smack head because not in any respect heard his suitable ten album !!!!! oh he has no longer had one .... prick.

Answer 6

In my opinion it is a matter of culture or philosophy. In Britain the popular press hold those people who are successful in some contempt just for being successful and making money (the two seem to go together), whereas in the US success is the name of the game and the opportunity is there for everyone who works at it.

Answer 7

My Daughter is at university in Plymouth studying to become a Teacher, she has had to contend with bigotry from within the Teaching profession. Many of the old timers did not receive the training that new teachers today receive and this causes hostility , so I understand your predicament but you have to rise above it and show that you are the future . That no amount of nasty back stabbing people are going to deter you from your goals . and remember " He who waits " or in your case she .
My wife , My daughter and Myself wish you all success's ,and remember don't crumble to the have nowt's but rise above it all to the look at me now's. ... Vortash Plymouth

Answer 8

You have been reading too many books.School leaving age is going up to 18 & our universitys get filled.We still have the best Education system in the world.By any chance have you took time out to visit schools in the US which is led by gangs.Please tell me will all these kids be welcome at your uni.Some how I do not think they will.

Answer 9

although l understand your question, you need to think who works hard to pay for it all..and those ...idiots... are not that impressed with what is created as the output.
Ah...there is hostility because people do not perceive that the system works well, the talk here is that 'a' level is too 'easy'...and who kicks this off as a concern.... educationalists..and from that the hostility grows.....but l think its towards the system not the individual....but l take your points too.

Answer 10

Honey, this is about your life, not theirs, its about your hope and dreams. You have the opportunity to peruse your dreams, don't let anybody tell you what matters to you. You know what you want, go after it. In life if you can find something you love to do and then find somebody you love to be with, barring unforeseen bundles of joys on the horizon, you have life by the horns.