Social worth of professional titles, etc.

This is in connection with the item, “Much ado about the bar exam,” by Mr. Joseph Sebastian Javier, (Commentary, 12/14/23).

We admire the perseverance and industry of students who strive to attain education in their earnest effort to make their dreams come true. The same can be said of parents, whether rich or poor, who encourage and support their children to achieve their ambitions. The joys of accomplishment and realization of their dreams are ecstatically shown during graduation. Much more so when they pass licensure examinations like the Bar and board which are more likely to open the doors to a brighter future. We cannot fault them for their exultations.

But as Javier wrote, in this country professional titles are treated as a “measure of social worth, a signal of one’s position in the pecking order … [in this] nation with a predilection for hierarchy, status, appearances, distinguishment, and achievement for the sake of achievement.”

“Bygone,” Javier continued, “[is the age] when the lawyer was considered the embodiment of a certain set of values: prudence, honor, candor, restraint, and an abounding sense of noblesse oblige.”

I remember the words of former United States president Barack Obama who said “You [get a law degree and] do ask yourself [to] defend the rich and the powerful or find some time to defend the powerless.”

There was one time when a brother of one of our friends came for a visit. He was introduced to me by another friend, saying, “This is Mario [not his real name], brother of so and so.” We shook hands. But I was flabbergasted when he said, “Mario ang pangalan ko pero ‘Doc’ ang tawag sa akin!” Kasi pala ay doctor of medicine daw siya.

I need not explain any further.

We see the pride of both parents and children who have reached the pinnacle of their dreams. We cannot fault them for the happiness they feel in the attainment of their cherished dreams.

But we also notice in this country that even relatives and friends would address their kin in their presence or absence as “attorney,” “doctor,” “engineer,” etc. in a convivial atmosphere.