Unlike previous generations, we know exactly how the other half live. So it's only natural that aspirations around wealth and fame infiltrate our psyche. We all have dreams of winning the lottery or becoming a famous celebrity. A study in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology found that wealthy people were more likely than those with low socioeconomic backgrounds to have unrealistic goals. It seems social media has kept these dreams alive and thriving.
We need to start being honest with ourselves about the role of wealth in our society. Affluence has never been more valuable — both in terms of monetary value and general esteem.
We've talked to a philosopher and a feminist theorist to explain: What is the wage gap? If a new father can't make ends meet in this country — even when working full time — how are fair wages going to change? How much of our sense of self-worth is based on our material wealth? The more you make, the less your worth equals. The poor can be just as talented and diligent as the super-rich.