RE: Your American parents were wrong: about school, about jobs, about life.
This, exactly! This is truth! I have 2 kids, and I've already told them that I'm not spending a dime on University/College education for them. Which works out, because they don't want to go to college. They see what college kids are like today, and they don't want to be around them. Neither do I. And heck, my kids don't even want to attend primary school, presently. Which is why I homeschool them. Yes, those "required" classes...first, the department of education dumbs down our kids with common core, then parents send their kids, woefully unprepared, to college where many of them are becoming "students" for a lifetime! They don't know anything going in, and they don't learn anything going through. Now, SKILLED LABOR is the future. I'd imagine knowing how to drive a forklift, or operate an arc welder, or even wash dishes is FAR more valuable and desired by employers than a master's degree in "how to make protest posters". And, LOTS of skilled labor jobs come with benefits and a uniform. Translation: pension, healthcare, and no $$ spent on "business attire".
So, sure, everyone go ahead and make fun of the school cafeteria worker.
She'll be having the last laugh when she gets off work at 3:00 pm, and has summers off. While the "higher educated" ones work overtime and weekends. Checkmate. :)
And yes, I agree with what you’ve said as well in many ways. But it is important not to rule out the idea of needing this college education and “higher learning” for certain jobs that do pay well. Accounting or CPA positions for example I feel are one of these.
But it is certainly time to recognize the different available routes towards making a sustained lifestyle.
Good luck to you with yours, there’s always two sides to the fence with pros and cons and I have respect for all of them!