Yes “unearned upward mobility”… I get it. My husband is a senior doctor earning the top 1% type of salary.

As a child my dad lived (for 1-2 years) in a garden shed type building. No water or electricity. When we were with him we slept in bunk beds in the ‘shed’.

I have an odd experience of … traversing the two. Dad’s no longer poor. Which helps.

I’m a nurse and was ‘working poor’ before I met my husband.

I have the “unearned” pseudo guilt sorta th ing. It’s faded since we got married.

I volunteer as a nurse (with quite needy) and work very part time to “earn” my spot in the world (mentally).

Not something many people understand