That seems to be the third-world model. Haves and have-nots, no middle class. Seems to be the plan for the US last few decades.
Why would anyone want to do that on purpose? Answer: to be “in” on the “haves” side.
This type of stuff was unheard of in the 80s.
People had full-time jobs, intact families, and less free time and money.
Also without social media, people’s more embarrassing traits didn’t have a ready and accepting audience. There was still a sense of shame.
That’s OK, history teaches us that large numbers of have-nots, with no hope of upward mobility, go quietly off to die. Or maybe it’s the exact opposite of that.