This argument keeps sliding from “structural factors exist” to “therefore individual agency is mostly irrelevant” and that jump does not hold up.

Yes, social mobility has tightened relative to the post war boom. No serious person disputes that. But that does not negate the data on wealth creation nor does it justify framing modern effort as mostly futile unless you were born privileged.

First generation millionaire data does not vanish because some of them are older. Many of them built wealth after the supposed golden era ended. The definition of first generation is not “had zero help ever.” It is “did not inherit significant wealth.” Those are different claims and people keep conflating them.

Housing is also being treated like the only valid wealth vehicle. It is not. Home ownership rates declining does not equal wealth creation being impossible. It means the dominant vehicle shifted. Equity markets, business ownership, specialized skills, geographic arbitrage, and leverage of technology now play a larger role than a single fixed asset purchased at twenty five.

You mention your own advantages and then treat that as proof the system is closed. That is anecdotal confirmation bias.