Is College Becoming the New Caste System?

by Heisenberg Posted 2012/08/28 19:00:00

Related Topics: College, Newsweek, Body, Education, 2012

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	Yes	197 votes	71%
	No	81 votes	29%

THEDAILYBEAST.COM reports:
Higher education is becoming the new caste system.

thedailybeast reports higher education caste

+15

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Heisenberg 2012/08/28 15:14:52

Yes

+18
I learned precious little in university yet I am glad I graduated as there are doors open to me that would otherwise be shut.

There was a time when university was a universal demonstration of critical thinking skills. For the past few decades, university has been little more than a term of left-wing indoctrination (with some exceptions such as the physical sciences or business school).

I encourage everyone to attend university and to ignore the politics of their professors but instead to think for themselves...something most colleges oppose.
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alw_ays 2012/09/24 04:57:45

No

I graduated college. I'm below the poverty level. Now, unless you're dividing castes into people who hang out together, of my closest friends, about half went to college and half didn't. About half didn't finish high school (got a GED) and about half didn't. Those halves don't line up. Um...If you divide by business owners, all my friends are independent contractors or work for themselves except the ones with the most years of higher education.

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El Prez 2012/08/30 22:21:22

Yes

Keeping them "down on the far", "barefoot and pregnant" and "nose to the grindstone" anything to keep the working class from improving it self. Makes the 1% have a firmer hold.

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El Prez to El Prez 2012/08/30 22:22:59

Oops, meant down on the farm!

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TheBadOne 2012/08/30 21:27:23

Yes

Pretty much. It'll look like this if things continue their current trend:

Highest Caste: Financial elite
2nd: Government elite
3rd: College-educated
4th: Trade school-educated
5th: High School-educated
6th: Incomplete education

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PoliticallyIncorrect 2012/08/30 21:18:52

Yes

With the current economic situation college is indeed developing a caste system which is made up of the unemployed. I wouldn't recommend college to anyone especially if Obeyme gets re-elected. Folks better have some kind of skill to support themselves. I thought Paul Ryan's comment about college graduates looking at faded pictures of Obama and wondering when they'll be able to get a job and move out of their parents' home was horribly appropriate for the current POTUS and the economic world he's creating. Yes, it's in HIS ballpark now, no matter how much he wants to blame Bush, the tsunami, or any other lame excuse he can come up with.

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dekecds 2012/08/30 16:39:31

Yes

It already is the new caste system, but it's a flawed one that many employers are seeing right through (that is, if they are astute in their management). I was recently hired for a six figure salary based on experience, not a degree.

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Manster 2012/08/30 15:06:44

Yes

It can and usually does serve as a difference maker for making a hiring choice between two candidates with equal experience. I've experienced that from both sides of that equation.

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tom C 2012/08/30 14:43:01 (edited)

No

+1
There is nothing NEW about it......it always has been....

But what is truely sad about the current system....we practically give away highly sought after degree programs to forgieners and Now Obama has done it for ILLEGALS...
while hard working middle class Americans get no help...

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Wahvlvke 2012/08/30 14:10:30

Yes

College is now a substitute for what we used to learn in high school.

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Resp 2012/08/30 12:55:16

No

+2
College is sometimes prohibitively expensive but it is not a caste system. Take out a loan. Which is what most undocumented immigrants should do instead of getting instate tuition discounts.

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Stan Zebell 2012/08/29 23:08:52

No

+2
If only you mean that one can fall out of the caste living in reality and into that of sophmoric incompetence, then perhaps

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red 2012/08/29 22:34:44

Yes

OUR whole education system needs an over-haul. We are paying more and receiving less at the expense of our children. We used to be taught reading, writing and arithmetic. Now we have to fight for that since our schools are trying to teach everyone else English, while ignoring our kids... The government is way behind and needs to catch up..

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lolitalovely 2012/08/29 21:41:58

No

+3
Inside of the college there is a hierarchy, but I don't think that's what the question is asking. I think it's asking whether or not college education creates an upper tier of a caste. I don't think that.

In AP we learn quite a bit of useful, but highly specialized information. Forget the professors and their own views. The college books themselves teach a lot of very important stuff. In AP bio, we stuck to the book and learned how cells work at the molecular level: something very hard to find good, in depth information for on the internet.This information, while almost useless for nurses, secretaries, and most jobs that don't require a masters, is very important for someone planning on entering the medical professions. (excluding medical careers that only require a BS and a few months of special training.) I feel that master's degrees and PHD's do create a hierarchy, but I would not say a caste system. I believe they do create a group of elites. They did study a long time and learn a lot, so I do believe that's earned. Certain people aren't cut out for college. We need those people to manage businesses and babysit our toddlers. Others are and we need them to fix blocked arteries, design a revolutionary program, or create endless supplies of stem cells.They both serve a purp...

Inside of the college there is a hierarchy, but I don't think that's what the question is asking. I think it's asking whether or not college education creates an upper tier of a caste. I don't think that.

In AP we learn quite a bit of useful, but highly specialized information. Forget the professors and their own views. The college books themselves teach a lot of very important stuff. In AP bio, we stuck to the book and learned how cells work at the molecular level: something very hard to find good, in depth information for on the internet.This information, while almost useless for nurses, secretaries, and most jobs that don't require a masters, is very important for someone planning on entering the medical professions. (excluding medical careers that only require a BS and a few months of special training.) I feel that master's degrees and PHD's do create a hierarchy, but I would not say a caste system. I believe they do create a group of elites. They did study a long time and learn a lot, so I do believe that's earned. Certain people aren't cut out for college. We need those people to manage businesses and babysit our toddlers. Others are and we need them to fix blocked arteries, design a revolutionary program, or create endless supplies of stem cells.They both serve a purpose. They both have importance that would not exist in a caste for the lower tier. Caste systems don't have choices and they have a class that is considered unworthy. Those without a masters aren't considered unworthy, because they decided that that just wasn't their niche. I view them as people who think differently. there is no social caste. we don't pick our friends on college education. Master's degrees and PHD's get you into a different area: one that requires acuity and vast knowledge.
(more)

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nbarton2 2012/08/29 19:29:48

No

+2
College has become the new indoctrination system, plus with the education system in a state of teach to test youth have to attend higher education in order to learn the things that they cannot learn in High School. Sad fact is that too many youth attending college have to take courses to get up to speed in regular subjects that they should be prepared for by high school.

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sglmom 2012/08/29 19:27:41

Yes

+1
With all the 'blocks' to check ..
the "affirmative Actioned' ..
the stats ..
having to prove this and that .. for funding ..
and specific .. related to 'surface' ...
the costs of attending .. astronomical now .. (and rising higher each day)
with access to illegals EASIER (than our own CITIZENS)
it is NOT About excellence .. or even talent .. it is sheerly about the 'appearance' at the surface ..

It was .. at times ..
uncomfortable indeed for even me ..
there were those .. who came from hereditary lines of privilege ..
that made it clear .. about how they thought of the 'uppity'
(meaning .. those like myself .. who bootstrapped ourselves and earned our places, our degrees and paid for our education ourselves) ..

NO MATTER WHAT ..
this is definitely showing more and more that there's a caste
based on 'blocks' to fit ..
degree programs withOUT any hope of finding employ
(there's no field for them at all other than academia)
(just .. sigh .. sheer insanity)

In many ways ..
get GOVERNMENT OUT of academia .. jobs .. marketplace ..
NO artificial support .. for what doesn't make sense ..
(don't PRINT more useless .. pieces of paper ... no more to promises to pay .. no more paper of any kind .. )

There's always a need for EXCELLENT Trade Schools
(again .. let's ma...

With all the 'blocks' to check ..
the "affirmative Actioned' ..
the stats ..
having to prove this and that .. for funding ..
and specific .. related to 'surface' ...
the costs of attending .. astronomical now .. (and rising higher each day)
with access to illegals EASIER (than our own CITIZENS)
it is NOT About excellence .. or even talent .. it is sheerly about the 'appearance' at the surface ..

It was .. at times ..
uncomfortable indeed for even me ..
there were those .. who came from hereditary lines of privilege ..
that made it clear .. about how they thought of the 'uppity'
(meaning .. those like myself .. who bootstrapped ourselves and earned our places, our degrees and paid for our education ourselves) ..

NO MATTER WHAT ..
this is definitely showing more and more that there's a caste
based on 'blocks' to fit ..
degree programs withOUT any hope of finding employ
(there's no field for them at all other than academia)
(just .. sigh .. sheer insanity)

In many ways ..
get GOVERNMENT OUT of academia .. jobs .. marketplace ..
NO artificial support .. for what doesn't make sense ..
(don't PRINT more useless .. pieces of paper ... no more to promises to pay .. no more paper of any kind .. )

There's always a need for EXCELLENT Trade Schools
(again .. let's make it fair to all to attend .. not by association or 'blocks' that one fits)
there's a need for TECH Schools too
there's a need for a para-professional in the marketplace ..
as well as needs for professions as well ..

It is EXCELLENCE we should cultivate ..
not status .. not 'blocks' to 'action affirmatively' ..
no to massive debt on the backs of those who work hard ..
no to the hereditary 'privilege' ..
(especially in politics .. NO to dynasties)
(more)

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Margaret Jacobson 2012/08/29 18:03:47

Yes

+1
It has been for years !! Now days it is harder to get any education !! I feel that as long as the college is a good school who really cares !! TOO many people have their sights on an "expensive school" & no real educational goals in sight !! Like philosopy & speech degrees, modern dance etc !! What does someone do with a degree in dance & drama ?? Where to find a job with a "generic" no real emphasis degree??

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Jon to Margare... 2012/09/16 05:57:48

Not too many employers are impressed with University of Phoenix or Devry Education. In fact it works against the job candidate. The candidate didn't use good judgment in getting duped and continued going to that Paper Mill of Rip-Off School.

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L1 2012/08/29 18:00:02 (edited)

Yes

+1
It's becoming too expensive; grants are much harder to come and loans are very hard to pay off if you can't find a job after graduation. Working while going to school isn't for everyone though I did it full time and full time student. Plus, parents are not necessarily able to afford education for kids with today's economy.

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Jon to L1 2012/09/16 05:59:23 (edited)

Just denounce your citizenship and come back as a Foreign Student. Some colleges even give you a cushy, on campus job even when your Visa is up.

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fortycal_sig 2012/08/29 17:50:56

No

+2
College is becoming less and less relevant.

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FordCrews 2012/08/29 17:43:29

Yes

+2
College should be something that 20% at most of the population should need to attend, and post graduate education should be for 10% at most. We need to get our high school's to the point they were 50 years ago before the liberals declared war on education and destroyed them. We most certainly don't need over paid government drones with masters and doctorates teaching our 1st graders what and how to think.

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Proggy 2012/08/29 17:08:50

No

+1
Though I'm a college graduate (U of H... GO COUGARS), I learned being there that it's not for everyone. There are people who don't get that coveted "college degree" that go on to be very successful. I will say that some secondary education whether it be trade school, or some other specialty school to hone your skill would be beneficial. At the end of the day the positions paying the really good money, employers most likely will require documented certification saying you're qualified.

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Fredrick House 2012/08/29 16:40:10

Yes

+2
Unfortunate but necessary. We live in a complicated world. If you want to live in America you need to be literate and able to learn and adapt. If you want to exist move to a Socialist country like China where you can be just another insect in the hive. Or you can vote for Obama if your life doesn't mean that much to you.

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Callaway 2012/08/29 16:30:58

No

+1
If this in other countries I would agree but here anyone can go to college there are avenues like Pell Grants and many others that can get you through the doors of high education if YOU want it bad enough. What you do with it is totally on you no one else.

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Cat 2012/08/29 15:54:05

Yes

+1
A college degree today is a sign to many that this person is entitled to be paid more and shown more respect whether they deserve it or not. An HS grad must earn respect in the workplace. The college grad walks in with it given to him and has to fail badly to loose it. Yes, that boils down to a kind of caste system.

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Moonage 2012/08/29 14:32:28

No

+2
You think the average peon attended college 100 years ago? Stupid article. More people have more access to higher education in the US than at any other point in time. Community colleges are a dime a dozen now. The problem IMO is the exact opposite. There are too many lawyers, doctors, professors, and other professionals and not enough factory workers, mechanics, farmers, and the like. Part of the credit crisis is the problem of too many people getting college loans to major in Medieval Austrian History and wind up at Walmart with a massive debt. Obama taking it out of the private sector will alleviate that to some degree, since a lot more people won't be able to afford college now. But, that philosophy of "you can be anything you want" is still too pervasive and as unrealistic now as it was 100 years ago. You can EARN anything you want in this country. But if you're stupid enough to pay $50,000 for a degree in something no one needs, you'll still starve.

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♒ßεllεchεvεllε®♒ 2012/08/29 14:31:09

Yes

+3
Only because I work in academia and the level of brainwashing is astounding.

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ray 2012/08/29 12:40:42

No

+1
It is not what you know, it is who you know .
Going to college is the vain hope to meet the right people , the lucky ones will profit .
The rest will live in indenture for many decades.
Over half of all college graduates are working menial jobs competing with high school dropouts.
53% of Recent College Grads Are Jobless or Underemployed—How?
A college diploma isn't worth what it used to be. To get hired, grads today need hard skills. http://www.theatlantic.com/bu...

The Difference between the top colleges and state colleges isn't an advanced knowledge , it is the ass sitting next to yours and future contacts.

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the fuze 2012/08/29 12:36:58

Yes

+2
This is not news.

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lm1b2 2012/08/29 12:29:46

Yes

+5
To people who are on a ego trip,and figure there better then anyone else without a college education. I know a lot of people who are book smart,but when it comes to life they don't have a prayer.

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TheR 2012/08/29 12:10:58

Yes

http://www.sodahead.com/unite...

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rspell 2012/08/29 11:58:05

No

+3
There is nothing new about this story. Universities have always been about attracting the most intellectually gifted among us for their programs. Some are able to meet those academic requirements and many aren't. What is fairly new is that those who are gifted mechanics, carpenters, welders etc. are being left out in the cold. The labor unions which built a strong middle class have mostly gone the way of the buffalo and the working man has fallen into the lower class as a result.

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lm1b2 to rspell 2012/08/29 12:23:05

+2
Don't worry Dau,the labor Unions will be around forever,I'm afraid you have been brainwashed by Corporate America.People don't organize labor unions,Companies do by the way they treat there employees!

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rspell to lm1b2 2012/08/29 15:47:41

+3
There's some truth to what you say. Labor unions would have been unnecessary in the beginning of the 20th century had corporations given safe working conditions and viable wages to their workers. Of course, history shows us that they didn't, and workers had to organize to gain these things. Now that the unions are being legislated out of being relevant, wages are falling, working conditions are deteriorating and the middle class has been relegated to poverty.

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Bill 2012/08/29 11:35:10

Yes

+1
Has been for years and years. This is nothing new.

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Daniel O'Hern 2012/08/29 08:18:20

Yes

+2
Only the wealthy can afford to go

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De-Dee to Daniel ... 2012/08/29 15:13:26

Actually I beg to differ. I'm broke as all get out, but I am managing. The best part is that I didn't have to take out a million loans to do so. It's all about the people you know, and the people you need to get to know.

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rootbeer29 2012/08/29 07:59:45

No

But there is a time coming when a minority work, and they will be the uber workers.

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addie 2012/08/29 07:34:55

No

Not new and not anymore.

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Jimmy 2012/08/29 07:14:35

No

+5
Unfortunately college in this country is a complete ripoff. The government involvement in the student loan industry has hiked prices and lower the quality of education and fooled the poor, naive, young saps who believe their getting a future simply by going to college.

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