Kasz216 said:
Yeah, I could see that. People thinking they're better then average, but seeing there outcome as average, (regardless of whether they're doing better or worse) could indeed lead to perceived unfairness even if there wasn't any. I suppose the problem is, most people care too much. Me, i'm happy with what I got, and for a western society it really ain't a lot. Given the choice between getting more money or working less.... I'd take working less more often then not... only reason I wouldn't is need for a retirement fund. |
Another thing that likely contributes to people seeing themselves as middle class, even among those that aren't, is that Middle Class is beaten over head as the norm. And culturally, people can buy stuff to make them conform with it. They can go more upscale or buy poorer but look like what is modeled on TV. They just don't se they are much better or worse off than others, if they live in communities with people like them.
I remember running into some Jewish men who were visiting OWS, right before thay camp got closed down a few days later, dressed as either Orthodox or Conservative or Hasidic (sp?) would. After talking with them, I had a chance to ask them about visiting, and about income inequality. He asked me if I knew what the difference was between Jewish community and normal society. After saying what I had said, he said that rich or poor, the Jewish community lives together, so you get to see the differences. What we have in society now, with gated communities, and segmenting of populations, is that everyone thinks they are middle class, even if they aren't. It is like it has been said by some people who went on and made it big, that they grew up poor and didn't know they were poor.
