Question

Explain what a credential society is and why it develops in a society. Moreover, discuss which social class of people benefit and which social class of people are placed at a disadvantage due to the situation of a credential society. Give examples to support your argument.

Answer 1

Credentialism is a process in which the demand for formal qualifications in individuals grows. As a result, the benefit of differentiation that a person can get as a product of obtaining certain qualification is reduced.

In a credential society, individuals with the highest level (and number) of qualifications will have the greatest chance to obtain the best benefits that this society offers.

People with a low socioeconomic status are highly vulnerable under this structure due to the fact that they are unable to have access to good quality education, if any education at all, due to the cost it represents. On the other hand, people with a high socioeconomic status will have greater access to this benefit due to their greater purchasing power.

For example, a highly skilled teenager whose family is living on welfare wants to become a doctor. This is an expensive career he cannot pay. Therefore, he will have to make his best efforts to apply to a scholarship and beat other candidates in order to get it and be able to study medicine. he might already be in an unfavorable position in comparison to other candidates if his school education was not of good quality.