"some of us who are now highly educated but who's parents were not [...] results in better standards of living for us than for our parents. So, locally, the tre

"some of us who are now highly educated but who's parents were not [...] results in better standards of living for us than for our parents. So, locally, the trend, seems for us to be moving in the right direction." Say what? In the 1950s, you graduated from high school (or even dropped out) and then went to work in the steel mill or car factory. (there were no robots and we didn't trade with China) You could support a family on that one income: house, car, wife, kids, etc. Lately, you get your BA and then work 3 different part-time jobs. If you get the MA, and find somebody else who does, then the two of you can both work jobs and get a place of your own. Your student loans will be huge. Forget about kids.