This seems more like a social commentary about job satisfaction for the career at almost 80%, but I suspect the pattern of movement that the “only way to get a significant salary upgrade is to switch jobs” is the secret pressure. There are a LOT of disincentives to moving right now, especially with coast housing stock being at record cost <i>and</i> such low levels. Add to the fact that employers seem to be having a great time laying everyone off, and you have a powder keg for dissatisfaction.
I'm just one data point, but after quitting a 12-year position writing RFID related apps, I'm raising chickens and writing.<p>There are no jobs for me; even for positions that totally align with my skills, the employers express no interest. For one thing, they get hundreds of applicants per posting. For another, DEI.<p>One nice thing--my old employer is hiring me back on a consulting basis. Meanwhile, I'm retraining and looking into side hustles, AI-related opportunities, manufacturing (a lifelong interest).<p>Technology as a career is not dead, but it has significantly downsized and is no longer a guaranteed job.
my two cents (from personal experience):
Getting money when you are from low SES is not that stimulating, because the money is inevitably spent on mundane purchases: i.e. buying a new pair of school shoes or school supplies, or beef instead of chicken for a meal that week, or fixing your car.<p>If that money would be able to be spent on anything that the child desired, then I am sure that even a lower-SES would be more excited.<p>I fundamentally believe that the higher-SES you are, the more agency you have (especially financial), where lower-SES are in constant survival mode.
It is hard to get excited by small sums of money when you know that it will just be immediately spent on boring things.