I enlisted in the military after I earned my BA so I also would’ve said about a third to 40 percent of Americans. The enlisted military will give you a nice cross section of the lower classes. I had lived in the US for 7-8 years before joining and learned more about American society in the 2 years I spent in the Navy than I did in all the time before or since.
Working in public education will enlighten you as well. Big fan of people getting out of their socioeconomic bubbles!
Tom, if you had asked me, I would have probably said about 1/3. While not correct, it is an underestimation. That is because, I think, while I hold an advanced degree, I served in the US Army (enlisted) before I went to college and I went to public school (through high school); which has allowed me observe that a fair number of the fellow enlistees I served with were either not interested in college or would likely not be successful in college, and I observed at my high school reunions that less than half of the people who have attended over the years ever attended or finished college. It really depends on your circles. Certainly, now most of the people around me (colleagues, friends, family, etc.) have college degrees, but I have not let that supplant my other and earlier life experiences and observations. I am looking forward to reading your book and I hope to make the signing event!
Jeff, thanks for the comment. Agree, people's perception of this totally depends on life experience, social circles, etc. My fear is that there's a segment of folks (who collectively hold a lot of clout) that are somewhat oblivious to the real-life circumstances of many of their fellow citizens. I'm not judging them for that, but I think it's important we keep the big picture in mind as a country.
I enlisted in the military after I earned my BA so I also would’ve said about a third to 40 percent of Americans. The enlisted military will give you a nice cross section of the lower classes. I had lived in the US for 7-8 years before joining and learned more about American society in the 2 years I spent in the Navy than I did in all the time before or since.
Working in public education will enlighten you as well. Big fan of people getting out of their socioeconomic bubbles!
Tom, if you had asked me, I would have probably said about 1/3. While not correct, it is an underestimation. That is because, I think, while I hold an advanced degree, I served in the US Army (enlisted) before I went to college and I went to public school (through high school); which has allowed me observe that a fair number of the fellow enlistees I served with were either not interested in college or would likely not be successful in college, and I observed at my high school reunions that less than half of the people who have attended over the years ever attended or finished college. It really depends on your circles. Certainly, now most of the people around me (colleagues, friends, family, etc.) have college degrees, but I have not let that supplant my other and earlier life experiences and observations. I am looking forward to reading your book and I hope to make the signing event!
Jeff, thanks for the comment. Agree, people's perception of this totally depends on life experience, social circles, etc. My fear is that there's a segment of folks (who collectively hold a lot of clout) that are somewhat oblivious to the real-life circumstances of many of their fellow citizens. I'm not judging them for that, but I think it's important we keep the big picture in mind as a country.