Agreed, cranky.

It should be a level playing field for all.

Many, many years ago (too many to mention) when I taught at  university, a number of students came from very modest backgrounds.  They had no problems at all "competing" with the others.  One particular student wished to continue into law.  The opposition to his doing a university degree, let alone law, came from his parents.  This was some sort of reverse class-distinction.  However, I doubt if this occurs now.

I hope there isn't class distinction in Australian society now.  I doubt it.

From humble beginnings come great masters...So true when you look into the earlier life of many famous and successful people.. Too many to mention in here..but its a very interesting topic all the same. I'm surprised it hasn't picked up more comments ?..

Yes, indeed, cranky.

I have the priviledge of knowing a few.  

One particular friend came from a very modest background, winning scholarships, ultimately to become the foremost scientist in his field worldwide.  He told me that his school-teacher intervened with his father to let him further his education.

Abby,

This was certainly the case when I was teaching at uni many years ago.  There was no real difference between the students.

Also the  tutor provided common assistance to all in the way of methods of research, direction etc .

The only problem at that time was that amazing matriculation results in the sciences, didn't necessarily translate well into the humanities.  Remedial classes were set up to teach some of these applicants how to write coherent sentences ... that a half-page sentence was not really a good idea.

I have always felt that the English system, which could well have changed, was excellent.  The matriculation was set by the university and specific subjects were required to get into specific disciplines.  Medicine required Biology, Chemistry and Latin ... I can't recall the other subjects.  Latin, of course, is not now needed. 

The upper middle class consider education more important than the lower middle class so the cycle will continue . 

Agreed, SD.

I would also imagine that many of the achievers knew what they wanted and strove for it.  

Unfortunately, in some of the upper classes (undoubtedly further down also)  the children's careers are mapped out for them.  I am sure everyone knows someone who submiited to their parents' wishes in a career.

Pete, 

Hopefully this will change.  The term "classes" is useful here ... 

Interestingly, it is not necessarily the children from the upper middle classes who are financially better off.  Sometimes it is those who have solid trades. Thus, there is much movement between the "classes" ...

I believe there is very little movement between the remaining classes as their is no longer a working class or upper class we are all middle . The movement between lower middle and upper middle is restricted to those few children who succeede in spite of their parents . 

I stand by my comment that as the upper middle consider education more important the cycle of the professions being dominated by upper middle will continue. This obviously has nothing to do with earnings as today the trades people who form themselves into small business can out earn the professions . 

The above only pertains to the Anglo / Celtic majority . 

Well, SD, they certainly had drive and personal direction ... the will to succeed.  I imagine that it takes quite some courage to pull oneself out from deprivation.  I imagine that the latter could be quite soul-destroying.

This direction could well be lacking in some born with a silver spoon in their mouth.

Said it before Twila.

The strength, morally and ethically of those kids would put any group of adults to shame.

SD

SD ... I can well believe.

I find that those who have lived at the coal face are often as you describe.  I suppose they have been tried in the fire, so to speak.

It is often easy for those who have had easy lives to rabbit on about their moral and ethical compass, without having had ever to demostrate this.

Abby,

A pin cushion hakea. I grew it from seed collected out bush. Lives out front. Nice little tree.

SD

Hmmm ..? A pin cushion hakea. 

It is very interesting to go to school reunions.  One of my contemporaries at boarding college would "steal" the plug from one of the baths. This held up the queue of morning bathers considerably, especially as we were invariably rushing to get to Mass.  Dark mutterings and grave concerns were held about her future.  She was a mediocre student at best.  Her family were immigrants, didn't own a car and lived in one of the worst areas, but they worked very, very hard to ensure that their daughters received the best education. 

This "plug" approriating lass ended up with a dream life, the life of an ambassador's wife living in the most beautiful places in the world.

Hope we get to see the pin cushion hakea in Post pictures of your garden here