Final salary scheme closing - what to do

nicknameless

jamesd wrote: »

I don't think that in general that is true. The road sweeper may live for less time but that's due to factors that in theory an individual can change, like doing a different job. Shelf stacking is an alternative job that a road sweeper could probably do and which probably has a longer life expectancy.

I also don't think it's unfair that those who get more educated - and are able to benefit from and use that education - can benefit from it. Even though I know that there are many forms of education that most people can't possibly benefit from, because they just aren't capable of learning what is being taught.

Agree wholeheartedly to the latter IF everybody has equal educational opportunity, which unfortunately they don't at the moment, haven't historically, and have even less chance of going forward.

For the former theoretically we can change some things, but that very well paid job of shelf stacking (:rotfl:) is not necessarily going to combat the combined negative infuences on health of social position which is not just about the nature of broadly equivalent jobs we do, but relative social position and access to the myriad of resources that give us capabilities to lead a healthy and happy life.

Interesting entry points for those intrested - Marmot Review in the UK, WHO commission for social determinants of health, The spirit level by richard wilkinson and kate pickett (about relative inequality), Health and social justice edited by Richard Hofrichter, anything by johan mackenbach regarding policy to address these things in the UK.

jamesd

I agree that educational opportunity isn't equal. So far as I know I'm the only person in my generation of my extended family to have a degree and a key life-changing event was a single teacher in a junior school in a deprived area. Schools and differences between them matter hugely.

Parental factors from attention to early learning, attention to pursuing the best educational opportunities and on through money and social position also greatly influence outcomes.

It seems that we're both fairly well read on this subject and have many points of agreement.