Poor and middle class as a mentality

[lixer]

This has been the bedrock of every single rich person in the world. Jeff bezos had wealthy family, elon musk had wealthy family, warren buffet had wealthy family, bill gates had wealthy family. Look at the forbes top rich list and you will see kids of wealthy families, I am not saying that they didn't build something of their own, of course becoming the richest person alive was a success, but they didn't reach there from a very poor family and a poor community school type deal, they all came from wealthy family and a great education.

At the end of the day if you are dropping out of Harvard, that is already saying so much about you to being with. Poor people who barely got anything to show for will come to a place, you do not have to stay poor, but you are not going to reach to places those wealthy people reach, they have advantage over you.

[gundala]

the hardships of life, say poverty, create real limitations. for those who are at this point, being able to get food on that day is a blessing, not thinking of collecting money to be rich but to fill a stomach that is not always full.
but from that adversity emerges tenacity and resilience in the worst of circumstances. those who want to change will definitely try harder with their limitations.
we really can't choose what kind of environment we are born in, that's why we are given the mind to adapt and find our own way of success.

[lienfaye]

Thats the reality if you're born poor or rich. I remember having a classmate (in middle school) from a well-off family, our teacher is nice to him and you can notice the difference on how the teacher treated other kids and this particular boy, its unfair.

Anyway our mindset depends on what's our status in reality, but even we are born from a poor family it doesnt mean we dont have a chance to change what we used to be. There's an education as the stepping stone and though the teachings are different compared to rich people, the point is how we drive ourselves after the lesson that we learned.

[DrBeer]

Some people are born rich or moderately rich, some are born middle class and some are born poor or extremely poor. All these conditions come along with a set of survival guides that the parents, relatives and even teachers will pass along as a map of life. For example, in a school of a country that does not give opportunity to its people, where most of the students are poor, it is unlikely that the teachers will induce them to think big or have big dreams...more likely they will aim to keep them apart from drugs, avoid problems with the government and try to imbue some basic skill for life. The ultra-poor do not even get that - which actually may be better.

In a preppy school, where most of the students are rich-born, the conversation is quite different. Culture, life, opportunity, spirit-de-corps and class mentality are imbued in the same manner, so the kids will somehow justify in their minds that they have the right to be rich even if they have not done anything for anyone in their lives - perhaps not even for themselves - because of some Darwinian property of cosmos.

As a result, the poor and even middle class have to jump over one real barrier, their lack of funds, and more importantly, like the Elephant that learns young that he cannot break the chains and never tries again, over their own state of mind, their own prison set by the terms of those who trying to help taught them to avoid anything but doing the same that keeps them poor.

In fact, with the exception of some really difficult things, all other restrictions are in our head, in our thoughts, in relation to events and entities. Including money and wealth. Stay for a short time in a very poor family - what do adults talk about, what do children teach? Learn to BE POOR! They do not teach how to increase money, how to accumulate, invest, learn and earn using knowledge! And this poverty is mental or even "genetic", and it is almost impossible to change it.

[cl0wn]

I don't believe it is a mindset on anything like that.
Look, you can only know what you hear and see. If everyone around you are lower class, you probably won't be hearing any good business ideas or smart investments. On the other hand, if most people around you are rich, I bet you start hearing about that sort of things very early.
Then you go to school with other rich kids who probably will be doing very good in their lives. And you already get contacts in school, before anyone has actually done anything.
I could keep going but I think you get where I'm heading. Poor and rich live completely different lives. That's it. You don't know things that no one ever taught you. The lack of knowledge is the issue in my opinion.

[Hydrogen]

For example, in a school of a country that does not give opportunity to its people, where most of the students are poor, it is unlikely that the teachers will induce them to think big or have big dreams...more likely they will aim to keep them apart from drugs, avoid problems with the government and try to imbue some basic skill for life. The ultra-poor do not even get that - which actually may be better.

This was an excellent study done on that very topic.

Poverty Is Worse For Kids Than Being Born To A Crack-Using Mother

July 23, 2013

A decades-long study has found almost no differences between babies born to a crack mother and those born to a non-addicted mother — when the two groups are matched up by their socioeconomic status.
Both groups of low-income children were at a significant disadvantage when compared to an average child, which means that being born into poverty had more of an impact on that child's IQ scores and long-term accomplishment than did being born to a drug-addicted mother.

https://www.businessinsider.com/crack-baby-myth-debunked-2013-7

....


Its a long term study contrasting the development of those born addicted to crack with those born and raised in poverty. It concludes being born in poverty. Being exposed to negative attitudes, ideas, addiction, violence, low expectations is more damaging than being born addicted to hard drugs. There's a lot of attention being given to socio economic status at the moment. Its sad to see some of the best information on it not being distributed more widely.

I remember first reading this around 8 years ago. It was a big story. Content like this isn't published anymore. Whatever the quality of our media is. Its definitely on a decline.

[Shasha80]

Some people are born rich or moderately rich, some are born middle class and some are born poor or extremely poor. All these conditions come along with a set of survival guides that the parents, relatives and even teachers will pass along as a map of life. For example, in a school of a country that does not give opportunity to its people, where most of the students are poor, it is unlikely that the teachers will induce them to think big or have big dreams...more likely they will aim to keep them apart from drugs, avoid problems with the government and try to imbue some basic skill for life. The ultra-poor do not even get that - which actually may be better.

In a preppy school, where most of the students are rich-born, the conversation is quite different. Culture, life, opportunity, spirit-de-corps and class mentality are imbued in the same manner, so the kids will somehow justify in their minds that they have the right to be rich even if they have not done anything for anyone in their lives - perhaps not even for themselves - because of some Darwinian property of cosmos.

As a result, the poor and even middle class have to jump over one real barrier, their lack of funds, and more importantly, like the Elephant that learns young that he cannot break the chains and never tries again, over their own state of mind, their own prison set by the terms of those who trying to help taught them to avoid anything but doing the same that keeps them poor.

In fact, with the exception of some really difficult things, all other restrictions are in our head, in our thoughts, in relation to events and entities. Including money and wealth. Stay for a short time in a very poor family - what do adults talk about, what do children teach? Learn to BE POOR! They do not teach how to increase money, how to accumulate, invest, learn and earn using knowledge! And this poverty is mental or even "genetic", and it is almost impossible to change it.

It is worrying that the poor do have the wrong way of thinking and that they get in their environment. Poor environment doesn't teach how to
manage money in order to make more money, therefore poor people will always spend money if given large amounts of money. Actually the key
to eradicating poverty is how to improve the education system, so that the way of thinking of the poor can change.

[cabron]

When a kid grows with people who just keep toiling without talking about getting richer and grows in an environment where he isn't taught about improving the quality of life, he will remain as-is for he may find comfort in it because he feels he isn't alone. But if a poor kid is brought to a new environment where he is influenced to learn economics, inventions, and finding solutions, he will find that achievement makes him feel good.

It's all about the environment that changes the mentality of a growing kid. And then he will probably aim to marry a beautiful girl from a richer family.

[Kasabus]

Thats the reality if you're born poor or rich. I remember having a classmate (in middle school) from a well-off family, our teacher is nice to him and you can notice the difference on how the teacher treated other kids and this particular boy, its unfair.

Anyway our mindset depends on what's our status in reality, but even we are born from a poor family it doesnty mean we dont have a chance to change what we used to be. There's an education as the stepping stone and though the teachings are different compared to rich people, the point is how we drive ourselves after the lesson that we learned.

I was also raised by a poor family and they always instilled in my mind that education is the only hope to become successful in the future. And i agree on it because now that i'm already a degree holder, i can see the differences in the opportunities between a graduate and an uneducated man. But in the end, education will not make you an instant successful but the things that you've learned and how you apply it in the real life.

[Twinkledoe]

When a kid grows with people who just keep toiling without talking about getting richer and grows in an environment where he isn't taught about improving the quality of life, he will remain as-is for he may find comfort in it because he feels he isn't alone. But if a poor kid is brought to a new environment where he is influenced to learn economics, inventions, and finding solutions, he will find that achievement makes him feel good.

It's all about the environment that changes the mentality of a growing kid. And then he will probably aim to marry a beautiful girl from a richer family.

The environment is really a big factor on how it will mold a certain individual. And most of the time, the parents have such influence to how their kids will grow up, their ambitions in life and the likes. As you go thru life, you will start understanding people and life itself, and you will aim for better life if you happen to have better grasp of life. The obstacles such as financial will just be a challenge for you to aim your dreams in life.

[paxmao]

As a result, the poor and even middle class have to jump over one real barrier, their lack of funds, and more importantly, like the Elephant that learns young that he cannot break the chains and never tries again, over their own state of mind, their own prison set by the terms of those who trying to help taught them to avoid anything but doing the same that keeps them poor.

While this might be true in your early years, if you live in a country where university is free, you are in a much better position. There are countries with an excellent educational system that is not based on money. You can get a very good Bachelor degree without spending much money. For the post grad education you might need to spend some more money, but at this point it should be possible to get financial support. And the rich kids can't do much about it if you study hard you will succeed. Good connections can help you get a position after university, but it comes down to your skills to keep that job and climb up the corporate ladder.

This is a perfect sample of the middle class mentality of a developed country. Get free education, college, climb up the ladder = work for someone else. Nothing really wrong with it, but that will only elevate the status of one in a million.

RE "rich kids cannot do much about it" - so naïve, so beautiful ... and so wrong. They will create their own exclusive schools, the will mingle with their "equals" their dads own the company of that corporate ladder you want to climb and they will be placed high on it before you can even start. If you have talent, do something for yourself.

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

I think people who are born into rich families, they just make things easier for their children and that's not a bad thing. but it all back again from that person it does not guarantee he will be successful just because he was born in a rich family. this is an exception if his family are super rich. I've heard some good quote from tik tok (show me your friend and i show you who you are) the point is the environment that influences people's lives.

[verita1]

OP, thanks for this thread. After reading your thoughts. A project came to mind that has become a reality and that has spread to at least 70 countries under the same essence, the education of children and young people through music. The education that is imparted is free by which poor children and even those who are in danger in the world of drugs, they can access it and join an orchestra. I'm talking about El Sistema founded by José Antonio Abreu Anselmi 05/07/93 - 03/24/18 (Venezuela).

El Sistema (which translates to The System) is a publicly financed, voluntary sector, music-education program, founded in Venezuela in 1975 by Venezuelan educator, musician, and activist José Antonio Abreu. It later adopted the motto "Music for Social Change." El Sistema-inspired programs provide what the International Journal of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies describes as "free classical music education that promotes human opportunity and development for impoverished children."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Sistema

I know that there are many programs like this and with different missions, but we need more action from society to eradicate poverty.

[magneto]

Some people are born rich or moderately rich, some are born middle class and some are born poor or extremely poor. All these conditions come along with a set of survival guides that the parents, relatives and even teachers will pass along as a map of life. For example, in a school of a country that does not give opportunity to its people, where most of the students are poor, it is unlikely that the teachers will induce them to think big or have big dreams...more likely they will aim to keep them apart from drugs, avoid problems with the government and try to imbue some basic skill for life. The ultra-poor do not even get that - which actually may be better.

In a preppy school, where most of the students are rich-born, the conversation is quite different. Culture, life, opportunity, spirit-de-corps and class mentality are imbued in the same manner, so the kids will somehow justify in their minds that they have the right to be rich even if they have not done anything for anyone in their lives - perhaps not even for themselves - because of some Darwinian property of cosmos.

As a result, the poor and even middle class have to jump over one real barrier, their lack of funds, and more importantly, like the Elephant that learns young that he cannot break the chains and never tries again, over their own state of mind, their own prison set by the terms of those who trying to help taught them to avoid anything but doing the same that keeps them poor.

This is a very insightful read.

I do think that nurture has a much larger role in determining outcomes compared to nature. Your physcial genes likely only determine the first 10% of your success, and the next 70-80% is really what you surround yourself with from an early age. The last 10-20% is actual effort/hard work.

It's not only a mentality, but also the networks and connections that you form. It shouldn't surprise anyone that the world is incredibly nepotistic.

[rodskee]

I think people who are born into rich families, they just make things easier for their children and that's not a bad thing.

depend on the views of the parent , there are parents that wanted their children to learn how hard life is so they will be ready to face even the hardest in the future .

not to mentioned those spoiled brats that knows nothing but to be feed and dressed.

but it all back again from that person it does not guarantee he will be successful just because he was born in a rich family. this is an exception if his family are super rich.

Even super rich families can be drowned from poorness once the wealth mismanaged and that is why rich people are very particular on who can enter their family they must be rich and stable also..

I've heard some good quote from tik tok (show me your friend and i show you who you are) the point is the environment that influences people's lives.

Lol it is not from tiktok but that is a quote of life, "Tell me who your friends are , and I'll tell you who you are"

because Birds of the same feather flocks together.

[mu_enrico]

Yep, and the culture is also different. I remember the poor man culture (*cough* socialism) was exist in my years of public school education, but not so much in the private school. The teacher's attitude was also different so that you can tell which was paid less. I came to the conclusion, if the poor get the same culture and the education quality as the rich, their future will differ significantly. Yes, the poor still have the lack of capital, but at least they can/will fight, instead of giving up, become unemployed, etc.

[cabron]

When a kid grows with people who just keep toiling without talking about getting richer and grows in an environment where he isn't taught about improving the quality of life, he will remain as-is for he may find comfort in it because he feels he isn't alone. But if a poor kid is brought to a new environment where he is influenced to learn economics, inventions, and finding solutions, he will find that achievement makes him feel good.

It's all about the environment that changes the mentality of a growing kid. And then he will probably aim to marry a beautiful girl from a richer family.

The environment is really a big factor on how it will mold a certain individual. And most of the time, the parents have such influence to how their kids will grow up, their ambitions in life and the likes. As you go thru life, you will start understanding people and life itself, and you will aim for better life if you happen to have better grasp of life. The obstacles such as financial will just be a challenge for you to aim your dreams in life.

Finances are always a problem in every family in modern society today, you couldn't live today if you have no electricity and water which is also the bills of these utilities that will drag down the life of poor families. If there is just a free source of electricity and water, it will be easier for families to save money for other things like planing a business. Government has to take responsibility for this kind of problem actually.

Solar power would be good but then the production of these materials somehow is not available in every country and importing are for the rich only especially in poor countries like where I am.

[amishmanish]

--snip--
more likely they will aim to keep them apart from drugs, avoid problems with the government and try to imbue some basic skill for life. The ultra-poor do not even get that - which actually may be better.

Well, Drugs is a problem not just for the very poor but for the very rich too. I hear tales about how young people in villages fall prey to cheap drugs. At the same time, kids in high school at some of the most expensive schools around my place were recently busted for rave parties and abusing drugs.
Though the rich have a much better chance of coming out of addiction in one piece.

Your topic suggests that being rich and poor comes from mentality. I don't think that being poor places any sorts of restrictions on a person becoming wealthy. One of the wealthiest businessmen in Asia, the Late Dhirubhai Ambani wasn't born in wealth. There are several such examples of resourceful people coming from humble backgrounds and making it big. I think this plays out differently in the West and in the East.

The east has traditionally not been so hedonistic and materialistic. People's mentality and self-worth isn't affected by what society they are born in. Their breaking out of their classes is often a result of fearlessness, resourcefulness and just this insatiable quest to win. The poor/ middle class in the west become a part of the consumerist, debt-ridden culture. This isn't so in the east where saving and being debt free is considered important. As a young adult, you are protected from society's expectations because of your family. At the end, if you are lucky enough to have a loving, nurturing family, there is no limit to what you can achieve with hard work.

[DrBeer]

...
It is worrying that the poor do have the wrong way of thinking and that they get in their environment. Poor environment doesn't teach how to
manage money in order to make more money, therefore poor people will always spend money if given large amounts of money. Actually the key
to eradicating poverty is how to improve the education system, so that the way of thinking of the poor can change.

That is the problem - their thinking and approaches to spending money are such that they do not give an opportunity to break out of this state. Instead of spending on education, training, they eat it up with tears of "why are we so poor." For example, the concept of "financial cushion" is not familiar to them at all, or this practice is considered unacceptable. Explanation for everything that is not done from what needs to be done - "we are poor." In one word - without a change in mentality, it is useless to expect a change in their state.

[Lorence.xD]

In most of the countries, all thise kids are growing with a mentality of study well so that you can get a good job then you can work from 9 to 5 for the next 40 years then you will get retirement. This is actually living like a slave in my opinion, do something that can change your life which can be realized if you are in a roch society or when we notice what rich people are doing.

That's how the masters of this world wants it, to give people education that is enough for them to do the job but not enough to be mad about being an employee. Yes your opinion is right, it is a modern day slavery, they just wouldn't talk about it that way because it's bad for the business. Sometimes the fault doesn't lie on the poor but the exploitative capitalist regime.