<p>Just last night H and I were talking about our 'circles" of friends. There is the group from when we were young and newly married…we all have similar levels of education, and all have done about the same financially, if that matters…and we are all still very close friends, even though we don’t live in the same city. This circle intersects with our friends from law school…all are still very close friends.</p>
<p>We also, for several years, had a circle of friends from the soccer community–our son was on an elite level team that travelled all over the U.S., and we spent endless weekends together, and became quite friendly. A lovely group of people from all walks of life. I was surprised by how quickly this group fell apart after our boys graduated and no longer played together. The boys don’t even seem to stay in touch on Facebook.</p>
<p>Living in one of the better educated communities in the country, where the taxi drivers tend to have PhDs in random subjects, I feel a bit of an outlier. Did 4 years of undergrad, have an ADNursing, and have not gotten organized to get more education, though it was always my goal. One group of friends are from my ex’s MA program, others are parents of my kids’ friends. Most have advanced degrees. I like educated people, grew up in a rather intellectual household, read widely and like folks who have a lot of background for discussions, which can include people from all walks of life. But the friends tend to be more educated than I am.</p>
<p>After a quick review I think that shared values (whether acquired through life or books) count more than diplomas. We do, however seem to be in the same financial bracket. We know people who didn’t finish high school, dropped out of college who are extremely successful. And a few people who have degrees from ivies who are really unsuccessful in life.</p>