Some of this is likely bias. I think that having a hard childhood makes you tougher which leaves you better equipped for the world, but having a strong character built by a strong family presence (with family of character) leaves you better equipped than a shitty childhood just because someone with a shitty childhood likely has issues around emotional/trust/relationship fields and maybe doesn't have the good adult example which is so impactful for children. For what it's worth I'm speaking as someone from the shitty childhood side. The unfortunate reality is that many people judge the quality of family by wealth and even if they have quality parents with wealth they don't spend enough time with them to pass on the character. Too many people are raised by government schools even when they have good parents, too many rich parents become bad parents because they don't appreciate the importance of their time, guidance, and example. I hope your perception isn't the case because I want to have kids that have a better life than me without some of the hardship (also potentially bias). Although, it sounds like to me you were over-generalizing a bit and you meant the easier your childhood, the harder your START to adulthood