         Wealthism describes a set of attitudes directed at the wealthy by the nonwealthy. "Wealthism includes those actions or attitudes that dehumanize or objectify wealthy people, simply because they are wealthy. The main attitudes of wealthism are envy, awe, and resentment. . . . Wealthism differs from the other 'isms' in that racism and sexism are perpetrated by those who have power, whereas wealthism is directed at those who have power."
- Joanie Bronfman, The Experience of Inherited Wealth: A Social-Psychological Perspective |
 |
 |
|
I N T R O D U C T I O N p a g e 9
Wealthism is one reason why heirs try to conceal their wealth. Whether or not they learned to be secretive from their parents, heirs who hide their financial circumstances do so for several reasons: they fear being stereotyped, they fear that others will not see who they really are, they fear being resented and envied, they fear being married for their money, and in general, they fear being used. Sarah Stein says, "The hardest thing for me is being truthful about my wealth. I feel like, if someone knows I'm wealthy, I'll be in a lions' den. I lie a lot. I lie a lot! Like, 'Oh God, I want to buy this Lexus, but I can't afford it.' "
She also understands that the stereotyping she tries to avoid emanates not just from people's hostility but from their ambivalence about money and their fascination with the "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." Our society's belief that "money is the root of all evil" conflicts with its envy of the rich. This further complicates people's responses to those with wealth. "I know people like me for my money," Sarah Stein says, "and I know they don't like me for my money."
|
Table of Contents | Other Trio Press Publications
|
|
|
|