I'm not so sure this is cultural or even economic thing, so much as it is natural human inclination to fail to appreciate the familiar, and an endemic quality of the artistic temperment. In microcosm, I know that I've treated a number of my own sketches, paintings, etc. with a cavalier and generally careless attitude, as to me they're nothing particularly special or that can't be done again (better), yet others have found them in a sketchbook, cabinet, frame etc. and admonished me, 'you really ought to take better care of these,' or 'I can't believe you treat your own work like this....'
You can imagine what its like for Catholics, who believe that God has condescended to exist among them in the form of the Eucharist!
Yes, could very well be. I sometimes think the same of certain redneck types, who throw trash everywhere, generally doing their best to destroy the natural beauty of their homeplaces. OTOH, there are many who truly do appreciate the beauty.
You ought to take care of your stuff, Joe!