Think back on those days when you watched your friends’ lives and wondered why everything seemed so easy for them.
They took vacations, had the latest gadgets, and never seemed to worry about money. Meanwhile, in your household, even small luxuries require careful planning or sacrifice.
Growing up in a working-class home meant learning the value of hard work and making do with what you had.
These early lessons shaped more than just your childhood—they’ve become part of who you are today.
In this article, we’ll dive into 9 common behaviors seen in adults raised in working-class families, revealing how those formative experiences continue to influence your life.
1) You value hard work and resilience
Growing up in a working-class household instills a profound respect for hard work.
You’ve seen your parents or guardians rise early and come home late, their hands worn from the day’s labor. This isn’t an abstract concept for you; it’s a lived reality.
Consequently, you don’t take things for granted. You understand the value of every penny earned and every opportunity seized.
But it’s more than just valuing hard work. It’s about resilience too.
You’ve witnessed the struggles and setbacks your family faced, yet they never gave up. They kept going, no matter how tough things got. This resilience becomes a part of your DNA.
And you know what? This isn’t something that fades away with time. Even when life circumstances change, the value you place on hard work and resilience remains, manifesting in your own approach to life.
2) You have a strong sense of community
In a working-class household, people rely on each other for support, share resources, and come together in times of need. This environment fosters strong bonds and a sense of togetherness, reinforcing values like cooperation and mutual aid. The focus is not just on individual success but on the well-being of the entire group, creating a deep sense of community.
Social psychologists call this “collectivism“—the belief that individuals are inherently connected to a larger group, with their identity closely tied to this collective.
Growing up in such an environment, you witness acts of support and kindness, whether it’s neighbors helping each other or families sharing meals during tough times. These experiences shape how you see relationships and responsibilities.
This collective mindset doesn’t disappear when you leave your childhood neighborhood. It stays with you, influencing how you relate to others and perceive your role in the world. The belief that success is built through shared effort and cooperation continues to guide your interactions, reminding you that you’re always part of something larger than yourself.
3) You might struggle with self-promotion
Although a strong sense of community is one of the hallmarks of working-class upbringing, it also has a flip side. It can sometimes make you uncomfortable with self-promotion.
Being part of a collective means putting the group’s needs before your own. You learn to value humility and not to stand out too much.
This is where the counter-intuitive part comes in.
As you navigate the professional world later in life, you may find it difficult to ‘sell’ yourself or your skills. Even though you know you’re capable, you might struggle to articulate your achievements or ask for what you deserve.
This isn’t about lacking confidence or ability. It’s shaped by the deep belief that being overly assertive or self-centered could disrupt the harmony within the collective.
4) You’re resourceful
Ever found yourself coming up with creative solutions when faced with a problem?
This is a trait commonly seen in those who grew up in working-class households. Resourcefulness is a byproduct of living with limited resources.
You’ve seen your family make the most out of what they had, stretching every dollar, and finding creative ways to fulfill needs without splurging.
This isn’t driven by stinginess or miserliness. It’s focused on learning to navigate life’s challenges through ingenuity and creativity.
And it’s a trait that sticks around. You might find yourself instinctively looking for cost-effective solutions, reusing items instead of buying new ones or even DIY-ing things that others might simply buy.
5) You might carry financial anxiety
Growing up in a working-class household, financial stability was often a constant concern. This experience can create financial anxiety that stays with you later in life. Here are some signs that you might be carrying this anxiety:
- Constantly worrying about money, even when you’re financially stable
- Feeling guilty about spending money on non-essentials
- Being overly cautious about investments or financial risks
- Frequent stress about future financial security
This doesn’t mean you’re doomed to a life of financial worry. Acknowledging it is the first step towards addressing it. After all, these behaviors are deeply rooted in your experiences, and understanding them is key to shaping a healthier relationship with money.
6) You appreciate the simple things
We might not have had the latest gadgets or the fanciest clothes, but we found joy in what we did have. A home-cooked meal, a game of street cricket, or a shared laugh with family—these were our treasures.
These experiences lead to a deep sense of contentment that stays with us. The words of Epicurus capture this perfectly: “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
In adulthood, we may find ourselves cherishing these simple joys more than material possessions. We understand that happiness doesn’t always come from having more; sometimes it’s about appreciating what’s already there.
Let’s take a moment to acknowledge this. If you find yourself deriving joy from life’s simple pleasures, it’s likely a testament to your working-class roots. And it’s something truly beautiful.
7) You may have a complex relationship with success
Imagine this: You’ve worked hard, climbed the ladder, and finally achieved what you’ve always dreamed of. Success. But instead of feeling elated, you’re filled with a strange sense of guilt or discomfort. Why is that?
People raised in working-class households have a complicated relationship with success. You might experience guilt for achieving success while others in your community continue to face challenges. At the same time, you may feel out of place in your new surroundings, constantly worrying that you don’t fully belong.
These feelings aren’t uncommon. They’re part of what psychologists call ‘survivor’s guilt‘ or ‘imposter syndrome‘.
But here’s a question to ponder: Are these feelings holding you back from fully embracing your success? Are they causing unnecessary stress or self-doubt?
Understanding your relationship with success can be an essential step towards making peace with your achievements and allowing yourself to truly enjoy your accomplishments.
8) You carry a deep sense of responsibility
In working-class households, there is an early introduction to the realities of life. As a result, children in these homes tend to develop a strong sense of responsibility. This can manifest in various ways:
- Taking on household chores at a young age
- Contributing to family income as soon as legally possible
- Helping care for younger siblings or elderly family members
As we transition into adulthood, this strong sense of responsibility extends beyond our families, shaping how we approach work and community life. We are frequently the first to take initiative, stepping up when tasks need to be done or when challenges arise.
Whether in the workplace, among friends, or within our communities, others can count on us during difficult times. Our unwavering commitment to helping others and ensuring everything runs smoothly makes us reliable and valued members of our social circles, always ready to contribute to the collective good.
9) You value education and opportunities
I vividly remember a conversation with my father as I was nearing high school graduation. He looked at me and said, “Education is your ticket to better opportunities.” His words resonated with me, knowing they came from his own life experience.
In a working-class household, the value of education runs deep. Parents see it as the key to unlocking better opportunities for their children, a way to ensure they have a brighter future than the one they themselves experienced.
Nelson Mandela wisely said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” This belief drives many families, instilling in us the understanding that education is our path to greater possibilities.
As we grow up, we absorb this belief in hard work and perseverance, pushing ourselves to seize every academic and learning opportunity that comes our way.
Even as adults, we carry this mindset with us, continuing to prioritize education and self-improvement. Whether it’s pursuing higher education, learning new skills, or advancing in our careers, we remain committed to growth.
This drive isn’t just about ambition; it’s a profound understanding of how transformative education can be, a lesson shaped by our working-class upbringing.
What can we learn from working-class upbringing?
Growing up in a working-class household is an experience that shapes individuals in unique and profound ways. But regardless of our own personal upbringings, we can all learn valuable lessons from these experiences:
- Value hard work: Recognize that effort and determination often lead to progress and success.
- Appreciate simplicity: Find joy and satisfaction in the everyday experiences that enrich our lives.
- Embrace community: Understand the strength in numbers and the power of collective action.
Life is a rich tapestry of experiences, woven together by our backgrounds, our choices, and our behaviors. As we look at these behaviors often displayed by those who grew up in working-class households, let’s reflect on our own behaviors and experiences.
After all, understanding our past is key to shaping our future.
