Yes i totally agree. I think im similar to you, my mum (my dad died last year) still lives in the council house i was raised in and they were dirt working poor. But somehow i happened to be abit more academic than most of my mates on our council estate and i went to uni, did my BA and MA, and im now considered 'professional'- im a social worker. My partner is an electrician. We have both worked so hard, and we are aware that our own children have much more than we ever did growing up. Im the first person in my family who has ever been to uni, and got a mortgage. we would be considered middle class if you went by our bank balance, professions etc etc. But im so not. I absolutely consider myself working class, but im aware we are very lucky to be in the position we are..But we have both worked bloody hard! As for Beggy, she has no class, no education, she hasnt worked hard for her 'profession'. Me and my friends laugh at her for the way she tries to come across. In fact me and my friends dont even discuss money or feeling we have to ascribe to a certain 'class' because we are just normal. Beggy is a joke.The Meldrums are not what I would call “upper class” in any way shape or form. Lee is very much working class. I’m not particularly comfortable with the whole class system anyway because really, it’s kind of null and void now. There’s lots of people with money who wouldn’t consider themselves “upper class” - I’m one of them! I come from a very humble working class background, grew up in a council house, we didn’t have much money etc but I’ve grafted my whole adult life and I’m now (with my husband who comes from a similar background and is a tradesman) in a very comfortable financial position, we built our own home, have no financial worries etc but I’d always consider us to be working class.
But to address your point, no, I don’t think it’s anything to do with “class” - it’s just lazy as duck parenting from idiots who are too wrapped up in themselves to give a tit about the kids.