Family wealth dictates our life choices. So is the Bank of Mum and Dad now behind so many of society’s growing inequalities?

Summary

The “Bank of Mum and Dad” drives modern inequality, fostering an “inheritocracy” where family wealth shapes opportunities over individual merit. This safety net often undermines social mobility, tying success to inheritance rather than personal effort.

Rising housing costs, wage stagnation, and unequal inheritance have entrenched this dynamic, with parental support shaping life milestones like homeownership, career paths, and education.

While early inheritances advantage some, the burden of social care costs threatens others’ expectations.

This growing reliance on family wealth exacerbates inequality within and across generations, highlighting the need for a broader societal conversation about privilege and fairness.

  • Maggoty@lemmy.world
    2·
    7 days ago

    Then Mom and Dad just include taxes. I want to destroy this, not just make more revenue for the government. Either that or we admit we don’t live in a country of individual merit and we change our culture. But letting this submarine of privilege sit here while we blame all of the poor people and pull up ladders isn’t going to work in the long run. It’s just going to cause massive political unrest like that during the French Revolution.