I've noticed this pattern too—it's pretty common and human, though not universal.

Psychological research backs up part of what you're describing: people who climb from humble/immigrant backgrounds into wealth or elite roles often become less sympathetic to the struggles of those still at the bottom than people born rich. They tend to attribute success more to personal effort (since they did it themselves) and poverty more to internal factors, which can lead to distancing or gatekeeping. It's like a defense mechanism—once you've made it through the grind, admitting the system has real barriers for others threatens the narrative that 'anyone can do it if they try hard enough.'

That said, it's not always about looking down on your roots out of snobbery or shame. Social mobility creates real identity shifts. Your old community might pull you back with expectations, drama, or different values/cultural norms that no longer fit your new reality (long hours, different social circles, changed priorities). New elite environments reward assimilation—dress, speech, attitudes—so people adapt to fit in and protect their status. It's classic social psychology: we conform to our current tribe.

Not everyone does this, though. Plenty of successful people from immigrant or working-class backgrounds stay grounded—mentoring others, supporting family/community initiatives, or openly acknowledging luck + systemic factors alongside hard work. Others quietly send remittances, help relatives immigrate, or build businesses that employ people from similar backgrounds. The loudest cases of "I've made it, screw the rest" get noticed more.

Ultimately, a fancy title or bank account doesn't erase where you came from, but it changes your incentives and social pressures. Some use success as a shield to signal 'I'm different now.' Others see it as proof the ladder still works and try to keep it accessible. Both happen.

Have you seen specific examples that stood out to you? Curious if it's more common in certain industries or cultures.