" At least here, in the South, your status still greatly depends on 1) if you managed to raise a family (single 40 years old ultra rich Corporate managers don't get much credit); 2) if you have a good network of friends (and people here don't look down at blue collars). "

A little bit offtopic:

Well, Italy is economically not at the top and South Italy even much worse. So, I just wonder if this is a healthy attitute.

Even on micro level: If you don't have ambitions besides friends/family, this is very sad. At least I couldn't imagine living like that.

There was an interesting quote from Max Levchin, can't find it, will edit later. It was something like this: "Interviewer: Why do you keep founding companies/push yourself? Levchin: Well, you sleep 8 hours a day. Then you play 2 hours with your children, spend 1 hour with your wife. Wtf do you do the remaining 13 hours?" This is actually a nice summary.

And this is the similar reason why people are defined by their education. It's just a small amount of years that elivate your value. It will be strange to miss the opportunity without a very good reason.