>Suppose one day materialistic instincts - manipulated by advertisers and wealthy, high-status peers - inform you that you ought to acquire an expensive Thing t

>Suppose one day materialistic instincts - manipulated by advertisers and wealthy, high-status peers - inform you that you ought to acquire an expensive Thing to maintain your status and sense of self-worth. Your parents are unwilling or unable to provide the Thing for you. You, as a young person, cannot earn or save enough to buy the Thing on your own. As a result, you become unhappy. Wouldn't this depend on the personality of the child? Maybe the child decides "I'm going to work hard, study hard and hussle until I have these things, and have more of them than my wealthy peers". I've spent a lot of time in China, where the majority of people grew up way poorer than even the poorest Americans (albeit with better access to schooling) and such an attitude is not uncommon.