Well, I don't identify as upper middle class, like many of people who now go to university I'm lower-middle class - first person from family to go to university

Well, I don't identify as upper middle class, like many of people who now go to university I'm lower-middle class - first person from family to go to university. Hence I guess academia is held by suspicion by people who havent had any contact with it. I have a phd, and whilst my direct family were always supportive, there were other members of family and friends who wondered why the hell I would choose to do that rather than rake in the big bucks in a bank. If I had chosen an academic career, it would however have been very difficult financially to stay in the uk - those I know who did typically had parents well-off enough to help buy a flat or house.