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Odds are that if you’re reading these words, you’re very privileged. For one, you’ve had the ability to learn how to read. And secondly, you clearly have access to modern tech and the internet. It’s easy to forget just how lucky we are—we start taking things for granted.
Reddit users started sharing all the things that they believe most people don’t realize are actually privileges. From being able to keep your home warm whenever you want to having a body that functions well and having access to clean drinking water and more.
You’ll find the biggest privileges many of us are taking for granted below, dear Pandas. Upvote the ones you agree with and, if you think there’s something missing, be sure to share it in the comments. What do you think is the biggest privilege people tend to ignore? How do you think we can become more aware of the positives in our lives? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Also, check out Bored Panda's interview with fitness expert Jack Bly about the importance of gratitude and its role in helping us recognize our privileges.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Having a body where everything works properly.
Tenacious Squirrel 2 years ago
Definitely. You have no idea how valuable and taken for granted your health is until it’s properly taken away from you (e.g. with something chronic, incurable, etc).
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#2
Having emotionally, financially stable parents that care about and support you.
Veronica Sjöberg 2 years ago
My parents died when i was relatively young so I never had that really but yes, this sounds like a pretty big privilege. Especially grandparents who loves their grandkids and watch them sometimes. That sounds wonderful for the kids to have someone else to bond with and feel comfortable with! And hang out with another generation - for both of them. I think it's so beautiful when grandparents have a great bond with their grandkids.
#3
Being vaccinated. People from underdeveloped countries like mines have people dying from preventable disease. My moms mother crossed a warzone after a devastating earthquake so my mom could get a smallpox vaccine.
Fitness expert Jack explained to Bored Panda that gratitude is vital and helps keep people grounded, no matter their financial situation, privileged or not.
"Gratitude is incredibly important, I believe. I practice it every single morning as part of my routine," he revealed to us that he practices what he preaches. This is why he recommends it to everyone.
"Having good mentors helps big time" when it comes to staying humble no matter how successful you are. "And also life usually has its way of humbling those who are too proud," Jack said.
#4
Buying groceries without having to carefully consider prices.
Getting as much sleep as you need.
Being able to quit a job without fear of losing financial stability.
To have people around who can and will help.
Criticizing your own government.
Privacy. Lots of people don't have that.
#5
The ability to actually be a kid when young. It's heartbreaking how many children have to grow up / are hardened before they even hit puberty.
Samantha Lomb 2 years ago
As a teacher I never thought about how many shitty parents are out there till we started discussing families. OMG
According to Jack, one thing that can definitely help all of us become more aware of the privileges that we have in life is morning gratitude journaling.
"Write out 5-10 things you’re grateful for," he suggested. That way, you can start the morning off strong and aware of just how fortunate you are in life. A far better alternative than waking up miserable because you 'have to' go to work, right?
#7
Having a safe place to sleep. I'm very privileged to have a safe place to live, and I understood it more since the start of the pandemic. Not having a safe, stable, comfortable home has to be hell when you are on lockdown.
Otter 2 years ago
Going home to a place that makes you feel safe and happy is one of the great privileges of life - and it's not a privilege that's strictly due to money. If you're well off, and go home to an imploding marriage, an abusive partner, or a dysfunctional family, you have no escape from stress and unhappiness.
#8
Honestly living life without any form of mental illness. It’s becoming less and less common but a lot of the people that do don’t realize just how lucky they are
Winter Eleven 2 years ago
I've had social anxiety and depression since i was 5. Might be born with adhd as well. I cannot imagine what life is like for people without mental illness
#9
Being able to sit in a house that is kept at a comfortable temperature all year long.
Something else that might work for you is gratitude expression. "Send a message of gratitude to someone you’re grateful for," Jack explained.
In Jack's opinion, "it's very easy nowadays" to take everything for granted. However, it all depends on your perspective. "And your perspective can be trained for gratitude." In other words, change is possible. But we have to work towards it.
The fitness expert also gave some advice that will serve anyone for decades to come. "Move your body! Figure out what you enjoy that involves movement and do it. It could be sports, hiking, walking around a mall, etc.," he urged everyone to find a form of movement they personally enjoy the most.
#10
I'm from Venezuela and here's the things American consider normal that is a privilege here:
Having a car: I've noticed that in the US even poor people have cars, here is pretty damn expensive to have and maintain a car and there's no credit option.
Electricity every day: here power goes out a few times a week. In the US it only goes out when there's a tornado or something like that.
Sanitation: here nothing has an actual valid health certificate, unless it's imported we don't know if what we're eating or the water we're drinking is apt for consumption. Food in America has official certificates.
Having a phone: there's rarely an American without a phone but for someone who makes less than 100 bucks a month is pretty hard to get a phone so there's many people who don't have a phone here and I believe in many third world countries.
Living alone after 18: Here people can rarely afford it so they will live with their parents at older ages and it's considered normal. Sometimes if the backyard is big enough they'll just build a house themselves for when their children get married so they live there with their partner and children. Living alone at 18 or even at 20's is rather uncommon and a super privilege here.
Making fun of the president with no consequences: in the US I remember the media made fun of Donald Trump and it was ok nobody got arrested, but here if you make fun of the president on public TV or a famous YouTube channel you'll go to jail for sure, they call it "hate crimes".
Having animal services: As an animal lover I really hate that if you see animal abuse there's not a number you can call and police won't come, you have to literally take evidence and take it to court or send to a contact that works in the government, and according to the law the animal abuser just gets 48 days in jail (you can push for more but you'll probably have to bribe the judge or have a friend in the government).
Clean streets: People here are worst than animals, the streets are littered everywhere except for the rich areas. In the US the streets seem super clean in general.
Buying clothes and items often: Here we spend many years using the same clothes as it's expensive to buy all the time, but Americans will throw away a shirt or a pair of shoes they've used for a few months and say something like "it was completely destroyed already".
Having good looking houses: The houses of poor people here have black mold on the walls, the roof is asbestos or something similar, the draining system is almost rotten and the house structure is still standing by the sheer power of faith.
Eating expensive stuff: I've noticed Americans will complain a lot if they don't have certain meals but here we just eat what we can afford, for example things like honey, syrup, cheddar cheese, diet toasts, yogurt, chocolate and that kind of stuff are luxuries here.
Having sex: This one is kinda funny but it's true, since Americans have cars and often live alone it's easier for them to have sex. I've been struggling with this for a while because at home there's your mom, your grandma, your siblings, your little cousins, etc. There's literally no privacy, so people with more money are the only ones who can have sex whenever they want.
Walking outside at night: If you do that here you'll likely get robbed or even killed, after 7-8 pm the streets are deserted. In USA or any other first world country unless you're in a specifically dangerous area it'll be fine to take walks at night.
Water everyday: in certain areas here people haven't had water for weeks or even months. In the US water is expensive but at least everyone has it.
Travel papers: if you're American or European you can quite literally travel anywhere with very little effort, getting a passport and VISA here is a whole struggle you'll have to dedicate time, money and effort to get.
I could go on and on but I wouldn't finish today.
#12
Being able to feel safe at home and know your parents or siblings won't abuse you
The previous economic crash and the current Covid-19 pandemic have widened the gap between the haves and the have-nots. Eddy Ng, the Smith Professor of Equity & Inclusion in Business at Queen’s University, explained to Bored Panda that the 2008 financial crisis restructured the economy while the pandemic has exacerbated inequality.
"We had the global financial crisis which led to many millennials who were employed being displaced. When the economy recovered, it changed structurally, and many quality jobs were lost," he said.
#13
Hot showers. The best thing ever, which everyone takes for granted
#14
Knowing when your next meal will be
Rose Romano 2 years ago (edited)
I hope this was sarcasm, Wilvander. My pension was recently raised and my biggest thrill is that I can eat any time I feel like it. I no longer drink two glasses of water so I'll feel full after I finish a meal. I no longer put off dinner as long as I can so I won't go to bed hungry. I no longer have a cup of broth made from a bullion cube with a single packet of crackers for dinner. I've become obsessed with buying food.
#15
I feel like a lot of people who grew up with middle/upper middle class family who pays for everything don't really realize how privileged they are. Especially people whose parents pay or help pay for college.
According to the professor, after the 2008 financial crisis, there was an emergence of precarious jobs, the gig/sharing economy, and the rise of digital labor. As a result, income and social inequalities rose for those who weren’t able to join the new economy.
The expert said that some racialized groups like Black and Brown workers can fall into a poverty trap that they’re unable to get out of. In the professor’s opinion, better financial literacy won’t solve all the issues. “You need to have the resources to, for example, access training and education," he told us.
#17
Not being drafted into a high casualty war as soon as you are old enough to fight.
Samantha Lomb 2 years ago
I'm not sure the US method of exploiting inequality and desperation to recruit poor people into the military is better
#18
Having healthy children.
Imagine having kids who’ll always need to be taken care of. Imagine having to worry about what will happen when you’re dead because you know that your child will never be independent or have a normal life.
This is one of my worst fears
The Covid-19 pandemic has deepened the divide between the rich and the poor, making problems even worse for many of us.
“Workers work more hours with lower pay in order to survive. That leaves little time to accumulate the necessary resources for skill upgrades or retooling for the new economy. This is the poverty trap I alluded to," Professor Ng explained.
#19
The sky not dropping bombs on you
Martha Meyer 2 years ago
It's not the sky dropping them, it's people in planes pushing a button on purpose to kill you.
#20
Easy ability to travel internationally. The right passport will take you places.
Rachel Nduru 2 years ago
Western countries can aquire visas once they land in my country. Applying for a visa to a western country from mine will take weeks and is usually denied.
#22
Guaranteed next meal. Food insecurity is terrifying. I have been fortunate that coming from a poor family, I always had food. Thinking of all the kids who were out of school due to COVID that were on free and reduced meals breaks my heart.
KariLovesHerKat 2 years ago
The pain of hunger is a memory that never leaves you. Plus all the shameful moments that go with it
#23
Toilets.
#24
Not having glass or barbwires over every wall, not having bars over every window, leaving the door unlocked at night and most likely being fine, etc
Here in Argentina we have our personal jails while the criminals roam the streets
KariLovesHerKat 2 years ago
North of Ireland was like that in some places still is. It was horrible
#25
ability to read
GirlFriday 2 years ago
One side of my family is part of a crazy religion that doesn't educate girls past what the law requires (which is 13 in their state) and then many girls are held from school because they need "home training" more than an education. As a result, I have several relatives that can't read. They were never taught. It saddens me that one of my father's sister is now widowed and can't take care of herself or her home because she can't read, doesn't know how to bank or pay bills, etc. Her brothers have to help her. This is very common in that community and it is terrifying to me.
#26
A happy childhood
Kishibe Angelo 2 years ago
i actually haven't had that im 15 and still as miserable as i was when i was 5
#27
Being able to ask "what are we going to eat" and not "are we going to eat" I cannot express how greatful I am to have a fridge full of food everyday because I know that in other parts of the world some people go days without eating and sometimes have to resort to eating rotten food. It's awful to think that such terrible conditions exist. I'm just so happy to be privileged enough to have better living arrangements. I just wish other Americans could see how lucky and privileged we actually are.
Julie C Rose 2 years ago (edited)
“I just wish other Americans could see how lucky and privileged we actually are.” - If you say that to an American who is calling for public healthcare, or a Black American who had a loved one get shot by police, I’ll slap you silly. Even in first world countries there are big injustices, and saying “stop talking about that; other countries have it worse” only benefits the oppressors.
#28
Sleeping until you are ready to wake up.
Some of us feel its a privilege (a desire to 'sleep in'), but when you work with or know someone who is trying to survive on 3-4 hours a day due to multiple jobs, medical reasons, or lack of shelter, it becomes much clearer.
#29
Breathing without effort.
Kishibe Angelo 2 years ago
Scruff Mcgruff The Crime Dawg just said that 99% of the people who don'y have asthma is normal so sorry guys that 3 year old me who had troubles breathing and had to take steroids inoder to breath because ig we aren't normal people and its not a privilage to breath
#30
If your life is so good that your biggest problems are minor inconveniences, you don’t appreciate just how easy you’ve got it.
Robert Thompson 2 years ago
Like the guy who called emergency services when facebook was down.
#34
Free K-12 education and literacy in general.
K-12 meaning primary/elementary and secondary school, wherever you are from. From 5 years old to 17 or 18 years old. We call it K-12 in the Us (K meaning Kindergarten, through grade 12).
#35
Having a healthy body. Existing without constant reminders that you're inside of a dying animal. Doesn't last forever, especially if you don't take care of yourself (I didn't).
Ozacoter 2 years ago
I cannot even remember how it felt to have energy and not being in constant pain and its been only a few years that I am like this. I have all the admiration for the people who has lived with chronic pain and disabilities for years. Specially with how little awareness there is. Today I was told that 'I am not disabled' by a waitress (that did not mean bad) when I explained her that the scooter I have is for disabled people. Once I told her she insisted 'but you do not look ill' and she only let it go once I told her that 'i am on the inside". She did not mean bad but it hurts terribly because it means that on top of being discriminated for being disabled I am also judged for 'not really being ill and pretending'.
#36
Being able to walk safely alone at night.
Arianna Ibbotson 2 years ago
As a woman, I can't, which is genuinely sad that our world has hit a low this bad that females can't walk alone at night without being scared of getting followed or sexually harassed
#37
Ignorance - being blissfully unaware of the struggles of others because those struggles aren't something you've ever even had to consider.
#38
Having extra money to spend.
#40
Having your parents pay and provide you with education throughout your school years
What do you think ?
Bailey 2 years ago (edited)
In do appreciate the point of the list, however I do wish in general there was less focus on "you have X, you should feel privileged", and more "X should be a basic thing everyone has access to, what can be done to help?".
François Carré 2 years ago
Exactly my thought. A privilege is something you have, at least partly, BECAUSE someone else doesn't, which means your comfort depends on someone else's exploitation and discomfort. Most of the "privileges" listed here are just decent conditions of existence that everyone in the world could and should be entitled to, given the level of development humanity has reached.
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Briana Kessler 2 years ago
This post almost feels like a contest on who has it worse...it's weird.
Don't Look 2 years ago
Just like the last time they did a “privilege” post. People like a word and they use it in defense.
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Bailey 2 years ago (edited)
In do appreciate the point of the list, however I do wish in general there was less focus on "you have X, you should feel privileged", and more "X should be a basic thing everyone has access to, what can be done to help?".
François Carré 2 years ago
Exactly my thought. A privilege is something you have, at least partly, BECAUSE someone else doesn't, which means your comfort depends on someone else's exploitation and discomfort. Most of the "privileges" listed here are just decent conditions of existence that everyone in the world could and should be entitled to, given the level of development humanity has reached.
Load More Replies... Briana Kessler 2 years ago
This post almost feels like a contest on who has it worse...it's weird.
Don't Look 2 years ago
Just like the last time they did a “privilege” post. People like a word and they use it in defense.
Load More Replies... Related on Bored Panda
