Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
No, not the norm.

No more than the slacker, lazy 'drain on society' low SES kids who need financial aid are, or the notion that providing that assistance "encourages" laziness or poor work ethics. That may have validity in a small minority of instances, but in most cases the truth is far more nuanced and less damning.

I can't blame a child of a highly privileged background for thoughtlessly assuming that EVERYONE has those opportunities and that confidence that whatever they want to try, money is never an object. It might seem rude, but it's really just lack of life experience.

Similarly, when lower SES parents see kids from higher on the SES acting in certain ways (vacationing lavishly, throwing money rather than time at problems), we may be tempted to ASSUME that there is a moral/ethical explanation... or that our less financially intensive way is more "honorable" but then again, it's because of our lack of life experience, probably.



Both directions-- those are extremely unfair characterizations.

Re: the bolded...the thing is that I have seen wealthy parents consciously teach their children that not everyone has the same opportunities and give them (as much as is possible) the life experience to see more of the world and the challenges others face. So I know it can be done.