One thing I learned as a parent is that kids always compare up the wealth scale, never down. I'm sure my parents noticed that, too. I've never heard about the

One thing I learned as a parent is that kids always compare up the wealth scale, never down. I'm sure my parents noticed that, too. I've never heard about the negative effect on levels of empathy. I suspect that it is unusual for people to have friends far poorer or richer, and it is easy to be dismissive of the problems of those one does not know.