I’m writing this in response to the several instances I have seen where people try to justify the fact that their parents invest heavily in them as college students or adults. I don’t even know how or why something like this should be defended in the first place. However, as a person who was definitely not given a silver spoon in life, I think I need to respond because privilege isn’t something anyone has the right to justify.

Disclaimer here: I grew up in with parents that gave comfortable shelter and put food on the table. I didn’t grow up in poverty, not even close, and my life growing up was comfortable. I never had to pay my parents' bills, and never did I have to go without the basic necessities.

However, my family didn’t have money to just throw around. My parents didn’t buy me cars, they didn’t pay my college tuition, my family didn’t go on lavish vacations, and we didn't live in an expensive neighborhood (our neighborhood and the school I went to was pretty low income). If I wanted something, I had to earn it. My parents taught me that I didn’t need much. I didn’t grow up wanting a car from them, fancy clothes, or expensive makeup. I was okay with working and finding ways to pay off my tuition as opposed to having my parents pay it for me.

What I needed from my parents was structure and stability. Their job was to give me food, shelter, and clothes that kept me warm. Nothing more, nothing less. Their job was also to give me the tools I needed to be a successful human being when I became an adult. Just because my parents chose to give me the basics and just the basics doesn’t mean they love me any less than the parents that chose to give you everything.

Your parents giving you everything doesn’t mean they’re ensuring your success either. If anything, it’s a detriment to yourself. You don’t know how to work for what you have because you simply never had to. You’re privileged, to put it bluntly. And nobody wants to hear your “justification” for your privilege once you’re called out for it.

I don’t want to hear your justification for why your parents chose to give you the finer things because the more you try to justify the privilege you have been given in life, the more it becomes a slap in the face to those with parents nowhere near capable giving the things you have been given. Instead of trying to justify your privilege, acknowledge it, accept it, and move on because you have no right to justify your privilege to people that have little.

I believe that there is something to be said for growing and working towards something and building yourself up from rock bottom. It means you know how to grind and work to get what you need and want. It keeps you headstrong and gives you a drive you won’t have if you're given luxuries you don’t need. I have the right to think less of you for not having the drive and knowledge to get what you need or want in life yourself. So, I don’t want to hear you justify your privilege anymore.

Thanks.