Rich Upbringing

Most people would choose a rich upbringing over a poor one. However, growing up rich could be just as detrimental to a child’s success and growth as growing up poor. Augusta Dwyer composed an article filled with quotes about rich families downfalls and states, “Many things are solved by time and experience," Mr. McCullough says, "but money and often power short-circuit those natural consequences. So parents end up using money, out of love, to help their children avoid the natural, character-building consequences of life"( Why rich families lose their fortunes in three generations). While having many gives a child a sense of safety blanket for their future they lose out on genuine hard work. A child that has rich parents does not appreciate what they have earned as much as a lower income child would. 

Growing up as a child my single mom struggled to make money for my family. However she would so small actions every now and then that I really appreciated. For instance, every now and then she would by me this chocolate bar called “cutie pies”. She would tell me that because I was such a cutie pie she had left me a present on my pillow and to my surprise I would find the small delectable chocolate on my pillow. If my mom had money this probably would not have been so special because I would know that the chocolate was no expense for her. 

While having money can set people back from appreciating the things people work hard for, there are perks that help a person gain success. People who have grown up with money are not afraid to ask for what they deserve. Gladwell talks about how better off children, “acted as though they had the right to pursue their own individual preferences and actively manage interactions in institutional settings” (105). Children who have more understand that they are entitled to what they want. Unlike children who are less fortunate, richer children are not afraid to speak up to get what they want. It is hard to not believe in yourself when everyone else around you also gets what they expect. Richer children naturally assume that they will achieve what they set out to do, so they are not afraid to through themselves into situations that help them accomplish their goals.