This may be an EU-centric view, but I think the "problem" with math is that, basically, it's a requirement for "success" in life. Selection at elite universiti

This may be an EU-centric view, but I think the "problem" with math is that, basically, it's a requirement for "success" in life. Selection at elite universities is mainly math-based. Sure, you're expected to have great grades in other subjects, but basically, if you suck at math, you're stuck with "suboptimal" paths. Yes, I know many people have made it without a college degree, or by following some other path. But most of "the rich" have been through elite universities, which require good grades in math. So, it can be perceived as a kind of gatekeeping. No one cares about chemistry. So, since neither chemistry nor calculus are seen as "useful in day to day life", but math is used as a selection criterion, people talk about math.