ucbalumnus

Do your social circles have similar educational attainment as you?

In other words, if (for example) you have a bachelor's degree, do most of those in your social circles have bachelor's degrees? Or is there considerable variation in educational attainment within your social circles?

Of course, different social circles may be different in this respect (e.g. family versus work associates and contacts versus other friends). Obviously, exclude any who are too young to be anywhere close to deciding their educational attainment goals (i.e. anyone pre-high-school, and probably most of those in high school).

LVKris

Friends from DH's workplace are similar to us - all have at least a bachelor's degree.

Neighborhood friends and friends made through kid's school activities are similar.

Friends made over the years through kid's various sports teams, or through my own hobbies or volunteer pursuits are the most varied - high school dropouts to advanced degree holders.

garland

Grad degrees here (MA and MD). We have family and friends at every level from high school dropout to PhDs/MDs. Really not a predominant category.

toledo

I think it's easy to gravitate towards people that are like yourself. When you make an effort to go outside your educational and/or income boundaries, I feel you grow more. You learn to see things differently. These people aren't my best friends, but I value their friendship just the same.

emeraldkity4

Most of my friends have grad degrees, some have post doc work. I didn't attend a 4 yr college.

SansSerif

If I think of where I know people from, it makes total sense that certain categories have the same or higher educational background. I still have some friends from college - of course they have at least a BA or BS. Many of them have gone on to an MBA, law degree, etc. I have friends from places I used to work - they either have a 4 year degree or in some cases, a 2 year art school degree (graphic designers.) The people I know through my daughter's school, however, are varied - from high school to PhDs.

oldfort

I don't think it is educational level, it is more of social economic level, people form their circle of friends.

My kids went to private school. We became friends with a lot of those parents. We have similar view when it comes to education, and they were at a certain social economic level to be able to afford the tuition.

I have some close friends from work, some have PhD and some MBA. We have similar interest when it comes to work and most of us are at a certain level at work.

I have different pocket of friends outside of work. Each group of friends entertain differently, but there is a norm within each group. One group of friends wouldn't think twice about flying some where for a girl's weekend, and another group is a lot more low key. My two closest girlfriends do not have a college degree, but we have a lot to talk about - we like to travel and shop.

mathmom

I have a Masters (professional degree) DH has a PhD. Our neighborhood includes a lot of doctors and people who work at universities and med schools in the area, so yes, a lot of our social circle has a similar level of education. My PTA friends were a more varied lot, but even those working more typical blue collar jobs usually had at least an AA. My art association I think is mostly people with BFA's or BA's, though especially with the older ones, the subject just doesn't come up that often.

In our previous neighborhood we had many more blue collar neighbors. We still found plenty to talk about.

ChrisTKD

ucbalumnus "Do your social circles have similar educational attainment as you?"

I'll define similar to myself as BS/BA, Masters or Phd as I have a Masters (professional degree). Short answer - yes. I don't bump into very many people with less than HS, HS degree, or 2-year degree because it costs too darn much to live in my area.

musicamusica

My social circle is as varied as it could possibly be. We live in a relatively expensive area, but many of the successful people I know never finished college. Among my friends who have no college degree whatsoever, a horse trainer (two Kentucky Derby winners), an actress, a contractor, a few musicians and a recording studio owner. We also have friends and neighbors who also work at JPL and Cal Tech.....needless to say they are all highly educated.

ucbalumnus

Hmmm, perhaps it depends on your interests. Work and family tend to define the people you associate in those social circles (for me, mostly similar educational attainment), but other social circles can be more varied, if they are centered around something that attracts more varied educational attainment demographics (for me, some sport-centered social circles).

emilybee

Our friends are all college grads and many have advanced degrees. Ditto for family.

MiamiDAP

Both. I never pay any attention. Many times I have no idea. My brain does not retain info that is outside of my interest any more. It is very efficient at purging data that has no effect on me. I may never ask, as I know that I will not remember anyway.

jym626

Would never think to ask a friend or associate about their education. Its pretty obvious when we are with friends with professional degrees, but unless they happen to bring it up in conversation, I would not expect to ask anyone about their education.

geeps20

good mix of college degrees and no college. In my town, there are many with no degrees that have their own businesses and make more than many with degrees. Good down to earth crowd.