This week I choose an article from
England entitled, “’Postgraduate premium’ fuel vicious cycle of social
inequality.” Overall, the article talked about “the lifetime value of a
postgraduate degree is rising, which is increasing social inequality. Someone
with a master’s degree can expect to earn £5,500 more a year than someone
holding only a bachelor’s degree.” It went on to explain the cause of this rising
disparity fairly simply; those who obtain postgraduate degrees come from richer
family backgrounds than those who do not. Many would agree with the article in
that this phenomenon has occurred because the attainment of higher education is
stratified within society based on socioeconomic status or family income. Because
no government support system exists beyond undergrad, the problem lies with the
astute graduates who were born to lower or middle class families; they now find
it difficult to stand out in the professional labor market as well as realize
their highest potential. Reports on this topic declare there should be
state-backed loans for these students to attend graduate programs.
"We need
to have a much more concerted effort by government, universities and the
professions to ensure that postgraduate study is about stretching the brightest
minds and not simply dipping into the deepest pockets,” sir Peter Lampl.
I think this is a phenomenal quote we should all deeply consider. All of
society’s members should be mirrored as such, as a whole; not just those who
can afford to be represented. We live in a knowledge based world where all our sophistication
in art, literature and music, advancements in science, math and medicine stem
from learned individuals who continue their learning as with no boundaries. I
enjoyed the article because it highlighted many issues of inequality: those
within class, education and a new found gender gap. It made mention to the fact
men are now becoming behind in these degrees as compared to women.
Rayna Tyson. February 8, 2013. 9:54AM
Rayna Tyson. February 8, 2013. 9:54AM
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