I once had a conversation with a friend in which she explained that she could not wait to escape from the lavish and ungrateful atmosphere of Northbrook.

How ironic.

This proposition is not uncommon. Numerous times I have heard students criticizing the materially-oriented Northbrook environment and identifying the “real world” as a solution to the distraction of luxuries. But this is the irony — the material lifestyle isn’t the cause of snobbiness, it is schemes like leaving Northbrook that are.

Deeming Northbrook a place to leave ignores the safety, transportation and education that many of us enjoy. And not only do many of us enjoy these services, but they are luxuries.

Let me be specific. We attend the 16th best high school in Illinois, according to US News and World Report.  Chicagomag.com lists it as the best high school in Cook County. Additionally, a report released by (Neighborhoodscout.com) indicates that we live in the 93rd safest city in the United States.

I could continue, but simply driving through Northbrook and noting the relatively large homes, diverse stores and recreational centers is convincing of the fact that we live in a impressive town. Impulsively wanting to leave these comfortable surroundings for the “real world”  displays a holier-than-thou desire of wealth diminution that is ignorant of poorer conditions around the world.  While wealth may not equate to happiness, it is certainly instrumental in facilitating it, and to view our fortunate situation as expendable reinforces the obscene idea that we are not unthankful in rashly abandoning our community. It is this perspective of disposability that underlies ungratefulness.

The description of the “real world” as a refuge further adds to the absurdity.  Northbrook is a pampered and protected town, so naturally, many of us have not witnessed violence, poverty and terminal misfortune.  It is not wrong to want to explore the unknown, but it is ignorant to label the “real world” as a solution to our luxurious catastrophe when very few of us have ever lived there.  The notion that we can conceptualize the “real world” is simply unfounded.

Our perceptions are analogous to an iceberg. Our “world” is the tip above the water, while the “real world” is the majority of the ice that lies below the surface.  Many of us simply don’t understand the “real world” to an extent that we can acclaim its alleged miracle culture.

Yes, there are many snooty people in Northbrook.  And yes I, as well as many others, wish that materials were less revered.  But to conjecture that the “real world” is an answer to this problem is a faulty assumption because it ignores the possibility of enjoying luxuries while being grateful. A combination of appreciation and material enjoyment is not impossible. Gratefulness can be the most potent defense to ignorance.