One's salary is determined by his and her education background in the states. Hasn't it been criticized in Japan?

Recently, more and more parents want to have their kids go to private schools rather than public schools. I don't know whether they are smart and right, though.

In the United States, those with higher degrees enjoy a widening pay dvantage over those with less education. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, wages have increased for the very well educated — while they have either stagnated or decreased for those with less formal education. We take a closer look at the growing wage discrepancy in the United States.

Those who did not complete secondary education earned an average wage in 2005 of $22,374 and represent a 9.9% share of total employment. Their wages decreased 4.6% from 2000 to 2005.

Those who completed secondary education earned an average wage in 2005 of $31,665 and represent a 29.8% share of total employment. Their wages increased 0.2% from 2000 to 2005.

Those with some college education earned an average salary of $38,009 in 2005 and represent 27.9% of total employment. Their wages decreased 2.5% from 2000 to 2005.

College graduates earned an average wage of $56,740 in 2005 and represent 21.1% of total employment. Their wages decreased 3.1% from 2000 to 2005.

Those holding a master's degree earned an average wage of $68,302 in 2005 and represent 7.9% of total employment. Their wages decreased 1.8%from 2000 to 2005.

Those with a Ph.D. earned an average wage of $93,593 in 2005 and represent a 1.5% share of total employment. Their wages increased 2.9%from 2000 to 2005.

Those holding an MBA, JD or MD earned an average wage of $119,343 in 2005 and represent a 1.9% share of total employment. Their wages increased 10.6% from 2000 to 2005.

http://www.theglobalist.com/DBWeb/printStoryId.aspx?StoryId=5963

When I was in high school, there was a lot of international arguement that Japan society places too much importance on one's academic background. However, if you have a look at the article above, American society has the same thing. Once Japan has become one of the most disparate nation in the world, everybody has been looking away from the fact that people who used to criticize the society heavily relying on people's educational backgrounds are pushing their childen to go to good schools.

Students who want to go to good schools will not only study a lot but also try to join sport teams or clubs to make themselves impressive. I don't know whether it is right or wrong either.