Thoughts on Sponsored Mobility

England.

Sponsored mobility.

Status is given to you.

Early selection.

Only 1 elite.

Oxford tie.

Sounds just lovely, if you're in the right crowd. I already stated that I come from an upper middle class family, but I know it was worked for. It even sounds a little bit like the survival of the fittest. And yet not. If "fittest" is defined as wealth, then yes. If it is defined as hard working, then not necessarily.

I was raised in a meritocratic society. Work for what you believe in, work hard to be successful. And so I have. It bothers me when I know people cheat, lie or are just handed success. What did they do to deserve it? Is it jealousy or my value of work ethic?

Is it fair to give credentials to people based on their family name and wealth? And recruit the best of the best from the lower classes just to make the upper class stronger and more successful? The 11+ Club exam for example. Its a recruiting mechanism for brilliant children that would make it in Oxford crowd ONLY because they are smart. All because of a tie they wear and can sprinkle some Latin into their conversations, they will be a success.

I guess what I am saying is, I'm just not a fan.

It creates a monopoly of credentials.



ADDITION:

I also wanted to add that had my family been in a sponsored mobility situation, I may just be a housewife right now instead of a nearly successful post secondary graduate. My family may still be struggling at farming, working on the railroad, etc.

I know the view is different. People see themselves as and defined as a "brick layer". "My grandfather was an X, my father was an X, I am an X. I accept it and am proud of it." You know your place in society and are comfortable with it. Maybe I am just too eager and motivated to be restricted in that manner.