Did you grew up "privileged" or "unprivileged"?

[Takami]

I read on the internet (HAHA!) that people's success is determined by the amount of "privilege" or "special attention" that they were exposed to during their up bringing. People received these special attentions or "privilege" due to their qualities, certain physical attributes, or sometimes sheer luck.

For example, people in gifted programs receives more attention because they proved at some point of their childhood that they are bright and can learn at a faster pace than average people. Many of these people grew up to be successful individuals.

A more personal example is, in my (maternal) family, my grandpa was a smart businessman and he managed to make a good fortune and even retired in his 30's. My mom have over 10 siblings but my grandpa put a lot of attention into his 2 elder sons. He taught them his secrets to being a good business person. Today, one uncle is a CEO for a Fortune 1000 company, and the other is a seafood distributor in Asia with channels in several countries. You can say that they both are doing okay. My aunts and younger uncles however, were not taught on how to make serious dough, partly because they are either women in an Asian family, or being the youngest.

My mom was also a younger sibling, however she was (as I was told) very pretty and she was my grandpa's favorite. Partly because of that, my grandpa spent a lot of time with my mom in her homework, and she received the most and highest education level compared to her siblings.

So this "privilege"/special attention can also occur in the family. My question is, did you feel that you were "privileged"/"special attention" by others (your parents, teachers, etc) in your upbringing and did it put you in a better position in life after you grew up?

Edit: it seems some people are confused with the term "privilege". Having privilege means not only there is somebody, be it a parent, a teacher or a mentor who not only favor you, but also spend the extra time and energy (and money to a certain extend) to help you. That extra push/hand out is something that other people didn't get.

EditX2: I added the word "special attention" also, but don't confuse this with someone receiving special attention because he/she is too stupid or mentally challenged.

Lastly, this has NOTHING to do with wealth!!!!!!!!!

You can be an unprivileged person in a rich family! Think of those kids whose parents who are never home and are always out working or socializing. These parents often buy nice things like game consoles and train sets for their kid, mostly out of guilt. Having all major game consoles in your possession is not called having "privilege", neither is having money, or a roof on your head.

[NiMSo]

Ummm, the term 'privileged' is so vague... it can mean anything, so your poll is somewhat meaningless without context. Also, it's a fairly relative term - for example, anyone born in Canada can be considered 'privileged' with respect to those from 3rd world countries.

[florider]

I know someone who came from a very poor family and she's now a lawyer.

She wasn't the smartest in the class (her teachers probably wouldn't remember her).

It was her determination which helped her become a lawyer.

You can learn from her (no need to be obsessed about making your kids smart).

[gman]

What is the definition of "privileged" here?

I thought "privileged" means you are in a rich/educated family instead of poor/under-educated family when I read the title. It seems it means something else here. It seems it means "favorite" more.

[Takami]

Ummm, the term 'privileged' is so vague... it can mean anything, so your poll is somewhat meaningless without context. Also, it's a fairly relative term - for example, anyone born in Canada can be considered 'privileged' with respect to those from 3rd world countries.

You're right, I'm not really an expert in this.

Perhaps what I mean by privilege is that at some point in your early life, somebody, be it a parent, a teacher, a kung fu master or shaolin monk, put in the extra effort to help you (either with time, energy, or money) which was not given to the same peer (your sibling, classmates) in your situation.

[Takami]

What is the definition of "privileged" here?

I thought "privileged" means you are in a rich/educated family instead of poor/under-educated family when I read the title. It seems it means something else here. It seems it means "favorite" more.

Again, I apologize for my inability to use a better word. It doesn't have to be money, it can be time and effort, which a lot of time, means more.

[florider]

What is the definition of "privileged" here?

I thought "privileged" means you are in a rich/educated family instead of poor/under-educated family when I read the title. It seems it means something else here. It seems it means "favorite" more.

Takami already gave his definition of priviledged.

And he's right.

Good-looking people are treated nicer by society.

[Takami]

I know someone who came from a very poor family and she's now a lawyer.

She wasn't the smartest in the class (her teachers probably wouldn't remember her).

It was her determination which helped her become a lawyer.

You can learn from her (no need to be obsessed about making your kids smart).

Again, she doesn't have to be rich... she could have at some point been given a job by her aunt who have worked as a legal clerk in a law firm, and one of the partners liked her and taught her his/her secret to becoming a successful lawyer, given her unlimited access to old cases and law books in the firm's library, and directions to where to get financial resources to advance her education. That is a privilege that normal people could not have gotten.

I hope you guys are beginning to catch where I am going with this by now.

[gman]

Takami already gave his definition of priviledged.

And he's right.

Good-looking people are treated nicer by society.

Well, I don't think that is what his definition implies. It is more like

society likes good looking people more, hence, gives them more attention/care. Hence, they are more successful.

[I am not saying the above statement is true or false]

[sexpuppet6000]

roof over head,
food on table,
free elementary, middle, and secondary education,
good health,
loving family and friends,


Yes. Yes indeed I grew up privileged.

[gman]

Based on my understanding of the definition, I was a favorite one at home but not a favorite one in school. Although I was a favorite one at home, I was not the one my parents spend their energy to. Basically, they did not need to 'care' for someone who did not need to be care.

So, I don't know if I was a 'privileged' one or not.

[CSR]

My psych prof. said that professional success is a result of a combination of intelligence and effort! Of course there will always be exceptions.

[Gloaming]

we were really poor until my father finished school, but then things got really good for us. The thing was- school was ALWAYS our top priority, even when we were eating KD twice a week for supper. The cost of education DOES discriminate against people with low incomes- BUT- people in today's society need to get their head's out of their buts and start giving our tradespeople the respect they deserve- just because you don't pull straight A's in school doesn't mean you can't make a great living as a contractor/electrician/plumber/mechanic.

[Bskll]

there is always going to be anecdotal evidence of people who beat the odds and come from a very low socioeconomic level to reach a much higher one. However, statistically speaking, your socioeconomic background still plays a major part in your eventual socioeconomic level. most of the people with access to post-secondary education today are from a middle class background. it is still quite rare to see someone who is living below the poverty line and complete a post-secondary degree in Canada today.

that's what my sociology prof said in class .

[manixc]

I thought we already cover this topic or a similar one last month.

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/s...highlight=rich

actually, you are the same OP.