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Originally Posted by spinelust
I wonder about their own feelings and whether they ever look back and think about what they've accomplished in their lifetime.
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I've had this discussion with my parents and my dad worked to get where he was. He was in college to become a dentist when his job, that paid his way through, became his career after being recognized by his boss. He worked hard and provided for our family very comfortably. Although I didn't have many of the things some others here have, my father could have afforded them. He and my Mom felt the work ethic and earning our own way would be the best experience. I worked for his retail chain, beginning with summers only, when I was twelve years old. I was given chores to do in the home and a weekly allowance that was smaller than that of my "poor" friends. But books? Any I wanted. They were considered a right, not a privilege as almost everything else was, in our house.
I've had that talk you referred to with my parents. My dad never felt that he overcame the poverty he grew up in. He felt that he knew he'd be successful because he was driven to do well. He wanted the best for my brother and I but did not want us to learn to expect or take things for granted.
I don't think anyone fits into any precise mold here. I could have been a PhD in English Lit by now if I'd stuck with my initial plan. I could have been working at a huge ad agency in Manhattan when I was 18, but made another choice.
I've had some privileges and not had others. But I think, ultimately, it's about the wisdom we've gained to make the right choices, corny as that may sound. I made a lot of mistakes, could have easily overcome them, but didn't see past them at the time. None of it has any remote connection to privilege.
As for my kids, they've had to take a cut in lifestyle the past five or six years (since I divorced their dad). But I've seen them become stronger, brighter and more motivated than ever. And maybe they've had experiences that more privileged kids haven't and may be more apt to appreciate what they earn.