Why Factories Are Having Trouble Filling Nearly 400,000 Open Jobs

[haele]

34. Parents want their kids to have better lives than them.

Which, at least when I was growing up, typically put education high on the list as a more educated youngster could realize more opportunities to make a good living doing what they wanted to do rather than what their background might limit them to do.
Sort of a Andrew Carnegie myth; a humble but educated worker (Carnegie started out as a mill worker that took a clerk's position opening) could become a millionaire by understanding the world around them and taking advantage of hidden opportunities that they find could either make their work more efficient or help them gain a trusted position where they could either lead or start their own business.
Education is supposed to enhance logical thinking/troubleshooting, curiosity and imagination. That's why most civilized countries try to keep the cost of education down, considering it an investment for good economies.
My maternal family were immigrants; fishermen/sailors, coal miners, and "servants/retail staff"; my paternal family was still remaking itself after being somewhat devastated during the Civil War.
But no matter their situation, Education was seen as important to seize the opportunities to start up a local Barbershop, or handyman/repair business, to learn a foreign language to be able to communicate with other immigrant communities and migrant workers, to realize opportunities for side gigs, or just not be conned by traveling salesmen, lawyers, or "financial experts" looking to separate marks from their money or property.
Nothing wrong with being a plumber or hairdresser, or insurance salesperson.
But it is better to be a well-rounded enough that one can deal with odd customer requests or unexpected issues that can easily lead to a loss of sales, reputation, or other disasters.
Education is supposed to expand one's world, not limit it by mortgaging 10 to 30 years of your life for the potential benefit if you don't come from a certain "class". Unfortunately, that's where Education in the US is now.