According to a study by The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, 66.2 percent of 2012 high school graduates were enrolled in college by October of 2012. After already completing 13 years of school, why do so many students choose to further their education? This can be answered by applying sociological perspectives.
A functionalist would say that by college being a choice, a division is created within the young adults in America.This division allows for a few things to occur. First, the high school students that choose not to further their education in any way, fill a lower level of jobs. Second, it allows for the students who did go to college to have less competitors in their future job markets. Thirdly, this occurrence continues the class system that is in effect in America.
This phenomenon also can be explained largely through symbolic interactionism. In America, a lot of prestige is placed on how much education you received and what career you have. From a young age, American children are asked what they want to be when they grow up. No one wants to be a "failure." When senior year of high school comes around, many family members and community members begin to ask the students what they are going to do after high school. The answer that most want to hear is that the student is going to college, trade school, etc. It is implied by society that school does not end at the high school level. People go to college to earn a rank in society and to be viewed by society as successful.
Resources:
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/news.release/hsgec.nr0.htm
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