Role of education

Most people think of class as strictly based on money; i.e. income and wealth. However, sociologists refined the concept and when they talk about socio-economic status (SES) it includes factors like education and occupation. In the book/film Irene is married to an educated doctor and should be considered in the upper class of her society. As we witness her strong view on what her children should do and with whom it is clear that her value system emphasizes education as a necessary means of staying on top or getting higher on the social ladder. She wants her boys to study hard and not get associated with the wrong kind of friends. On the other hand, Claire, her friend who seems to have a more frivolous attitude towards life just accidentally drops the idea of sending her daughter to Switzerland for school because that is the best. This idea is infectious and eye-opening to Irene, who also starts to wonder whether her sons could go there. She wants the best for her children, but her husband’s strong objection overruled the fledgling scheme. Status, income (potential), future possibilities, capacity to accomplish goals … are all dependent on education and in the stratified society of the 1920’s (where racism and sexism were more blatant than today’s society) Irene and Claire were both painfully aware of it.

Full review: https://www.pgabor.com/2021/12/16/higher-than-a-passing-grade-for-passing-thoughts-on-passing-uk-usa-2021/