I'm 50, and I remember my parents pressuring us to go to college. I know that message was reinforced in school, at least inasmuch as we were always reminded about our "permanent record." I bought the college thing, hook, line and sinker. If I didn't get into a great college, I was pretty much worthless as a human being. Embarrassing, but true.
My theory is that the threat of college is one of the few means that teachers have of controlling their students. I mean, if they couldn't touch you in class, and they couldn't ruin your future, what control would they have over you?
Those are good points.