Do HPMS Students Have The Easy Life?
The cover story in the February issue of The Tribal Tribune is a well thought-out article about how students in other districts view the “privileged” kids in Highland Park and if those feelings are warranted. One HPMS student quoted in the article said, “The perception of people outside of the bubble is that we’re all rich white snobs, and that we only care about ourselves. And to be honest, when I put myself in their shoes, it makes sense that they think this about us.”
The writer polled students to find out if his or her peers really do have the easy life. Here are the results:
73% Have traveled to Europe for vacation
65% Own designer brand attire
62% Have a personal trainer
54% Do not have to do chores
48% Have to earn their allowance
45% Own an iPhone
35% Have a second “vacation” home
34% Get paid for good grades
Sounds like a pretty easy life. What do you Overheardians think? Easy? Privileged? Entitled? Normal?
I always say I want to come back as one of my kids!
Yes, as far as creature comforts go, it is an easy life, and the kids themselves have no idea how easy it is. As far as family relations, social well-being, and all the other stresses that affect kids, it’s probably about the same as anywhere else.
This is entirely normal. In the bubble. Just because our parents have earned the money it takes to provide their children with such luxuries does not mean that the parents, much less the children, should be crucified for it. You can’t help the family you’re born into.
I’ve thought HP is a little different because kids especially in middle school are totally blind to money. Blind to possessions? No. But blind to money. The richest kids are necessarily the most popular which is different then a lot of places. Also, in HP, things are popular for reasons other than being expensive. For example, you can have Juicy sweats (which are expensive) be just as popular as Crocs (which are not). Money is SO available that it is meaningless.
Oops. I meant to say The richest kids are NOT necessarily the most popular.
Also, as an addedum, the middle schoolers are not dumb - they do know WHO is rich (or richer than others) - it just doesn’t do anything for social status.
Here’s an email excerpt from a friend of mine who lives in Ft. Worth:
“The families in my neighborhood are solidly middle class - not even upper middle class — and except for the personal trainer and the second home, these kids are almost more spoiled than the kids in your neighborhood.”
In that case the issue isn’t about wealth, it’s about indulgence.
It’s not the kids, it’s the parents. Any parent who would give their middle schooler an iphone…any parent who wouldn’t teach their middle schooler the responsibility of chores and earning their allowance…you reap what you sow.
There was a huge uproar in our advisory when those came. One of the girls on the newspaper staff did mention that there was a lot of talk about it in their class.
And crocs are so not cool. Just so you know. Completely frowned upon in school. They are great shoes though. Very convienent at camp.
OMG, I’m not in the majority of HPMSers and I’m well over the age limit. I’ve traveled to Europe on vacation and and have to earn my allowance (i.e., I work). Does the Isaac Mizrahi stuff at Target count as a designer brand?
I hope my kids don’t see that list.
I agree with Kersten - it’s a matter of overindulgence versus wealth and can take place anywhere. In my part of the Park Cities - the “inner city” area around UP Elementary, I’ve noticed that most of the high school kids drive older model cars that are not luxurious - old Toyota 4runners, Honda Civics, Toyota Corollas, for example. In contrast, I’ve noticed that some (but not all) of my colleagues who live in affluent nearby suburbs buy their kids luxury cars - new BMWs, Mercedes, Lexuses. A couple of years ago we hired a just-graduated high school senior from a nearby affluent suburb who drove a brand-new VW Bug and complained her parents wouldn’t buy her what she wanted - a Mercedes SUV. Her boyfriend (same age) drove a new BMW sports car. I’ve also noticed some really nice cars parked at and driving around SMU. I’m sure I’d see some luxury cars if I checked out the garage at HPHS but I’d hope to see that many of my neighbors had shown some restraint in selecting cars for their children.
My kids absolutely believe that we are poor compared to others in our neighborhood. I think they are right! We have never been to Europe, does the Gap count as designer?, we don’t have any personal trainers, my kids do chores–laundry (GASP!), do not own an iphone or any other phone, do not get paid for good grades and we have no second home (only grandma’s). It’s amazing the neighbors haven’t kicked us out.
Hey, we just so happen to have privileges that people categorize under the rich category. All this is is stereotyping middle school students just because of their parent’s income. Besides, plenty of HPMS students are regular kids with good hearts, and isn’t that what really matterrs?
I grew up in Highland Park and went to school there, specifically K-12. My father also grew up there and went through the school system. Growing up in the school system is difficult, primarily because of the pressure placed on kids to be perfect. I also have to say that there were numerous times where I would be ostracized by kids from other school districts simply because it is where I grew up. However, now, in my early thirties, I am thankful that I had the upbringing I did. Yes, my parents spoiled me (one could say). Yes, I had the same clothes with designer labels as everyone else. Yet, my parents still ingrained in me the importance of being a good human being. Highland Park pushed me to be academically successful. My parents pushed me to be a good person. Now I am successful in my career, have a wonderful family, and though I may have taken it for granted at the time, am now happy that my formative years were spent in a safe school district with a well meaning community. I hope this offers some words of encouragement to any parents worried about the stress their children may go through in HPISD. In the end, it all works out for the best!