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Blame their rich parents for having kids, thus making them rich kids. It’s not their fault they were born with a silver spoon in their mouth. They’re babies. They don’t know any better. The same goes for children who were born into poverty. It’s not their fault. Unfortunately you can’t choose the environment you grow up in, that’s ultimately up to you parents. It’s up to you to adapt to it.
My latest obsession on Netflix is Gossip Girl. For those of you who don’t know, Gossip Girl is an anonymous blogger ( Like me!) who blogs about the elite upper East Siders of New York and all the drama that goes along with it. It’s a guilty pleasure of mine watching these overprivileged rich kids have lavish parties, attend private school and be ushered around the city in their private limo. However there is one average joe guy who falls in love and ends up dating one of the rich girls. It is emphasized how much average joe’s parents sacrificed just so that he and his sister could attend the same private school that the upper crust society attends.
My previous obsession was the original Beverly Hills, 90210 which was another show about overprivileged rich kids. The only difference was the location, hence the name. Again, there was an average girl or average jill (?) who came from a not so great neighbourhood, but attended West Beverly High to increase her chances of getting into a decent college. While she did not necessarily sacrifice a lot financially to attend the school, she did have to deal with a long commute and lying about where she lived.
As much as I like reality television shows about personal finance such as Til Debt Do Us Part and Princess, I also like television shows about rich kids.
Why? Maybe it’s the drama with love and money that I enjoy watching but am glad that I never dealt with that. Maybe it’s because I secretly wish I could live that life for just a day. See what it would be like to have people wait on me and to never have to think twice about the price of anything. They look like they almost always have fun and have less to worry about than us regular people. Come on. You probably thought so too. I”ll admit to it.
So I’m a bit jealous. And most likely so are you. You must have at least one point in your life. Who wouldn’t want to be young, rich and beautiful? I’ll be honest, there have been several occasions where I have thought and even said aloud to my partner, “I wish I was born rich” or “I wish I came from a rich family. Life would be so much easier.”
Well, financially maybe, but we all know very well that it won’t cure a terminal illness. It can’t cure an addiction problem. It won’t prevent a spouse from cheating and/or leaving you (but it may have been the cause). In terms of emotional and health problems, money can only do so much and in some cases, it can do f*** all.
I used to blame rich kids for being rich, when in fact I should have blamed their parents.
But why? What for?
Do I blame them for their hard work?
For taking big risks and reaping the big rewards?
For being able to manage their money well and invest in something that gave huge returns?
For acquiring a company held in the family?
Somewhere along the line, no matter if it was yourself, your own parents or your great grandparents, somebody started with nothing or next to nothing. That somebody had a vision and worked hard to make that vision come true. They worked hard so they could make their own life or someone else’s life easier.
So I’ll only blame rich parents if they haven’t taught their kids the value of hard work and money. I’ll also only blame them if their kids have grown up and STILL haven’t learned about hard work, earning money and saving money- whether it be on their own or through someone else.
Note: Although I came from a middle class family whose parents immigrated to Canada, there have been a few occasions where I was thought to have come from money. I found that very hard to believe, but it definitely put things into perspective upon meeting people who were less privileged than myself growing up.
I am with you on this one. I blame their parents up until the age of I’d say.. 30, which gives them enough time to turn their lives around and be someone, and THEN it is their fault.
Yes, that is a good timeline. That was my biggest fear: not being able to turn my life around before I turned 30 due to a couple of mistakes I made. I managed to do so several months before I turned 29.
I’ve enjoyed those shows to see “how the other half live” as well. I agree that the only thing I blame the parents for is if the kids grow up being spoiled, entitled brats. But that blaming can only go so far and once they are adults they need to take responsibly for their own lives.
I also used to watch Laguna Beach, The Hills and the City on MTV when I lived with my parents.
I do blame my parents for spoiling me growing up though. That was one of the main reasons why I went away to school. To become more responsible for my own life and be more independent. That was one choice I have never regretted.
By no means will we ever be this “rich,” but I plan on doing what my parents did for me: let me be. As soon as I left home, there was no more help. I appreciate them more for doing that for me.
I kind of wish my parents told me the same. They still offer their help from time to time even though I most certainly do not need it. I sometimes have to refuse money from them even though they insist. I’ll only accept it as gifts on special occasions such as birthdays and Christmas.
Blame is only up to a certain degree or point. Rich or poor, children need to be taught the value and importance of hard work. What they become after depends on the lessons learned.
Very true. Regardless of whether they started rich or poor, they have the potential to become rich or poor later on in life, depending on the lessons or lack or lessons learned. Obviously it would be better for one to start off poor then become rich, rather than vice versa.
What are we blaming rich people for, exactly? It is interesting to see attitudes toward people who have money. I know a lot of families that have a lot of money, and you’d consider them rich but there’s nothing to blame them for – they are just nice, normal people that worked hard and have enough money to live very, very comfortably.
I guess we’d be blaming rich people for their success. It’s the jealousy monster. 😛 I know we shouldn’t if they worked really hard and are very nice, but sometimes it’s hard not to, especially if you’re in a worse off/not the same position (by uncontrollable circumstances or your own fault).
I know people who come from money who are absolutely lovely human beings, and people who come from money who are spoiled and have had things handed to them all their lives. My partner used to work for the dad of one of our friends who falls into the latter category and it was sad to get a glimpse into why/how that situation came to be.
I enjoy reading through an article that can make men and women think about their kids. Also, many thanks for allowing for me to comment!
I’m totally with you on the notwanting-to-be-poor. Honestly to be born in a poor family is not your fault but keep living that way is totally yours. So be courageous enough and break the ice so that you can reach your goals. Forget about blaming or watching rich people, you don’t have enough time to explain or criticise. Go ahead and do it. NOT because you have to but simply because you CAN.
Hmm it appears such as your blog ate my first comment (it absolutely was
super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it a few things i wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your site.
I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still
new to everything. Have you got any helpful hints for first-time blog writers?
I’d certainly appreciate it.
I’m so sorry I missed the comment and am only just getting to it now. I truly appreciate your kind words and feel free to e-mail me with any specific questions. There are so many things I can go over.
I am totally with you on this. You can blame the parent’s for their kid’s fault up to a certain point. But there should come a time wherein the kid should learn to turn their lives around and decide for themselves. If something is in question, it should either be both or neither who’s at fault. But I don’t believe that the weight should rest on just one side. Cool insights!
I really enjoyed reading your article Yes it’s true kids with silver spoon in mouth are little traunch, but I think regardless of all this they have potential to become rich and poor at same time when they grow up.