Science and especially engineering is not a good career choice in USA - there is little job security and it harder to keep family together/raise children than for those in the military (the last has extensive safety net compensating for the frequent relocations)
Much better choice is law. BTW how many lawyers are in Congress and how many engineers or scientists?
"best of the best from all over the world", "the cream of the degreeholders".
The society cannot be based on the "best" and on the "cream". It has to allow the middle to prosper. Calvinist guilt manipulation is not helpful in this matter.
"Much better choice is law. BTW how many lawyers are in Congress and how many engineers or scientists?"
By your same logic, one should encourage your children to play professional sports....afterall, look how much they make, and how they are revered in society.
I don't know where you think this stuff up - that it is hard to keep a family together and raise children as an engineer......It's just so contrary to reality. Maybe you have a different anectdote to share? Are you a divorced, unemployed engineer??