Affluence is defined as a plentiful supply of material goods, abundance, and wealth. Is having extra food in the refrigerator a “plentiful supply”? Are having a number of outfits to choose from in your closet “abundance”? Is being able to send your children to private school “wealth”? No matter how affluence is defined theoretically or objectively, it always brings with it a connotation of comfort, luxury, or things that most people would like to attain. Or would they?
Most of us are probably familiar with the concept of a “high class problem”, a problem which by the very nature of the phrase is not really considered a problem. Many people look upon the problems of the affluent in such a manner, thinking they don’t have any “real” problems. However, a growing body of research suggest that affluent families have higher rates of depression and other mental health concerns than do other sectors of society. Furthermore, because of the way the affluent are perceived by society, their problems are minimized, and their need for help is overshadowed by the mask of wealth.
There are a number of concerns and issues that appear to consistently affect affluent families. Affluence psychology identifies a few of these problems:
1. Vilification of the affluent by society - money is still one of the most taboo subjects in our society, and the affluent often receive the envy or contempt of others. This can be hard on an individual or a family.
2. Absentee Parenting - in order to obtain a level of affluence, often times both parents must work long hours. As a result, many children are spending most of their time with surrogate caregivers or in after school activities, and the parent-child relationship suffers as a result.
3. Alienation – many affluent people live in sheltered communities and are not exposed to a variety of people from different walks of life. As a result, sometimes they have trouble relating to others, exacerbated by the vilification talked about earlier.
4. Entitlement -- some think it’s easier to raise a child in a family with nothing, where the love is the predominant force. What about the child with everything?I t’s hard to establish boundaries, combat materialism, and raise a child that doesn’t feel entitled to material possessions or superiority.5. Divorce – the divorce rate, particularly in the Bay Area is incredibly high. This may have something to do with the tremendous level of wealth we possess. Regardless, the effects of divorce can be very hard on a family and definitely require family or individual counseling to help negotiate the transition.
6. High Achievement Pressure - Affluent families often place tremendous amounts of pressure on their children to achieve, and to achieve in not just one thing, but everything. Affluent children are often shuffled from one activity to the next and expected to perform a t a high level in everything they do. This can exert a negative affect on the child and the family, especially when children’s self-esteem becomes directly tied to their ability to perform.
The famous hip-hop artist Puff Daddy wrote a song entitled “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems.” Perhaps he did not have it in mind, but he certainly hit upon a crucial truth that is often overlooked in our society. Problems affecting affluent people are very real and worthy of receiving the appropriate assistance.
