The obsession with money is a reality in the current social context, in which the distribution of wealth is evidently disproportionate. Which perpetuates the classic division between rich and poor. But what is the point of view of the former? How do they perceive the most disadvantaged class? A study carried out by the University of California, in the United States, analyzes this by differentiating between two profiles: people who were born rich and those who became rich.
This research focuses on analyzing those people who came into the world within a wealthy family, and those who made themselves and managed to go from humble origins to amassing a fortune. The objective is to inquire about their sensitivity to the difficulties of the poor, taking into account their own experiences and their particular point of view.
It is to be expected that people who started from humble origins and ended up becoming rich will have a more empathetic perception of the most disadvantaged population. Mainly for having shared common experiences and situations, which those born rich have never had to experience. They have experienced firsthand how complicated this is and all the obstacles and adversities that must be overcome. Not to mention the opportunity and luck factor. For all these reasons, it is so striking to discover that this study from the University of California reveals just the opposite.
People who became rich show less empathy toward the poor, even though they were part of that group in their past. And, furthermore, they are less favorable about the redistribution of wealth, compared to those people who were born in a particularly favorable economic situation. Those who became rich are, in short, tougher and less understanding.
Something that is already stated in the title that gives its name to the research, “If I could do it, they can too.” In this one of the phrases that represents this group of people who became rich, and who present an attitude of less sensitivity to the difficulties of the poor, is clear. Since they consider that moving up the social ladder is less challenging than the perception held by the rich by birth, they are more empathetic with the struggle involved in moving up socially, professionally and economically.
The authors of the study, led by Hyunjin J. Koo, however, specify that the study participants respond to a profile of wealthy American citizens, but among whom are not billionaires.
