Growing up working-class shapes you in ways that often go unnoticed. The early years spent navigating financial struggles, doing more with less, and learning to hustle for what you want — these experiences leave lasting marks.
Sometimes, you carry them into adulthood without even realizing it. Whether it’s the way you approach work, relationships, or your own ambitions, there are behaviors that often stem from a working-class background, and they can play a bigger role in your life than you might think.
In this article, we’re diving into the nine behaviors you might unknowingly display as a result of growing up in a working-class environment, and how these traits shape who you are today.
1) Valuing hard work
Growing up working-class usually means being surrounded by hard-working individuals. Parents, neighbors, friends – they all instilled in you the value of a strong work ethic.
You’ve seen the struggles, the sweat and the sacrifice up close. It’s not just about clocking in and clocking out – it’s about putting in your best effort, no matter what you’re doing.
This isn’t something that just disappears when you move up the socio-economic ladder. It sticks with you, influencing your approach to work, and life in general.
You might not even realize it, but this deep-rooted respect for hard work is probably reflected in your own behaviour.
Whether it’s striving to excel at your job or putting extra effort into your personal projects, you’re likely carrying on the working-class tradition of valuing hard work without even knowing it.
2) Being thrifty
Growing up working-class, money was always tight in my family. We couldn’t afford to be careless with our spending, and this instilled a sense of thriftiness in me from a young age.
I remember going shopping with my mom.
She’d always have a list and we’d stick to it, no extras, no impulse buys. Coupons were our best friends and sales were our favorite events.
It wasn’t about being cheap – it was about making every penny count.
Now, even though I’m financially stable, those habits have stuck with me. I still find myself comparing prices, looking for deals, and avoiding unnecessary purchases.
It’s not that I have to anymore, but those early lessons about the value of money and the importance of budgeting are deeply ingrained in me.
3) Appreciating the simple things
When you grow up working-class, extravagant luxuries are often out of reach. Instead, you learn to find joy in the simpler things in life.
A sunny day, a home-cooked meal, a good book – these might not be grand, but they offer a kind of satisfaction that expensive gadgets and luxury vacations can’t match.
Interestingly, a study published in Psychological Science found that individuals who grew up in lower-income households are better at savoring small pleasures compared to those from wealthier backgrounds.
This behavior is likely a result of early experiences where such simple pleasures were the highlights of life. So if you find joy in the little things, it might just be your working-class roots showing!
4) Strong sense of community
Growing up working-class often means relying on your neighbors and community for support.
When resources are scarce, people tend to band together, creating tight-knit communities that look out for each other.
You might have grown up with neighborhood potlucks, community events, or simply the knowledge that if you needed help, your neighbors would be there for you.
This strong sense of community doesn’t just disappear when you move away or move up in the world. You likely still value close relationships and the feeling of belonging to a group.
Whether it’s your workplace, a hobby club, or your new neighborhood, you probably find yourself drawn to create that same sense of community wherever you go.
5) Resilience in the face of adversity
When you grow up working-class, life is often full of challenges.
Money is tight, resources are limited, and you might have to work harder to get the same opportunities as others.
But growing up in such adversity breeds a certain level of resilience. You learn to adapt, to persevere, and to keep going no matter what.
This resilience doesn’t just disappear when your circumstances improve. It becomes a part of who you are.
So when life throws a curveball your way, you’re likely to dust yourself off and keep moving forward with the same determination and grit you learned from your working-class roots.
6) Valuing relationships over materialism
Growing up working-class, you quickly understand that material possessions are fleeting. A new toy or fancy clothes can bring temporary joy, but they can’t replace the warmth of genuine relationships.
You learn to value people over things.
Family dinners, heart-to-heart talks with friends, shared laughter and tears – those are the moments that truly matter.
Even if your circumstances have changed, this fundamental belief likely remains. You may have more material possessions now, but deep down, you know they don’t define your worth or happiness.
The bonds you share with your loved ones, the respect and love you give and receive – those are the things you truly cherish. It’s a beautiful testament to your working-class roots.
7) A knack for DIY
I remember back when I was a child, if something broke in our house, we didn’t just call a professional to fix it – we tried to do it ourselves first. Whether it was a leaky faucet or a faulty switch, my dad would always try to figure it out.
Growing up like this, I picked up a few skills myself.
Now, even though I can afford to hire help, I still find myself tackling minor repairs and improvements on my own. It’s not just about saving money; there’s a certain satisfaction that comes with fixing something with your own hands.
If you also find yourself reaching for your toolbox before your phone, it could be another trait you’ve carried over from your working-class upbringing.
8) A grounded perspective
When you grow up working-class, you witness the realities of life at an early age.
You understand that life isn’t always easy or fair, and you learn to navigate its ups and downs with grace and humility.
This grounded perspective often stays with you long after you’ve left your working-class roots. You don’t get easily swayed by superficial success or material wealth because you know there’s more to life.
If you find yourself remaining modest and down-to-earth despite your achievements, it’s likely a trait shaped by your working-class upbringing. You understand the value of keeping your feet firmly planted on the ground, no matter how high you rise.
9) Gratitude for what you have
Growing up working-class, you learn to appreciate what you have because you understand what it’s like to go without. You learn the value of every meal, every piece of clothing, every opportunity.
This sense of gratitude becomes a lens through which you view your life as an adult.
You appreciate your successes because you remember the struggles. You’re thankful for the opportunities because you know they weren’t always there. And you cherish the journey because you know it’s just as important as the destination.
It’s this deep-seated sense of gratitude that is perhaps the most enduring trait from a working-class upbringing. It keeps you grounded, keeps you humble, and most importantly, keeps you appreciating the journey that life is.
Final thought: It’s a part of you
Growing up working-class isn’t just an economic status – it’s a lived experience that leaves a lasting imprint on your character.
The resilience, the value of hard work, the sense of community, the appreciation for simple pleasures – these are all behaviors that are likely rooted in your working-class upbringing.
Recognizing them is the first step in understanding how your background has contributed to your success, your mindset, and the way you navigate life.
So take a moment to reflect on these behaviors. Recognize them, appreciate them, and understand that they are a part of who you are, shaped by experiences that have made you stronger, wiser, and more grounded.
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