I grew up in an urban deprived area with parents that struggled to make ends meet. They were both working class, with no advanced education, and neither of thier families owned thier own homes. It wasnt the worst upbringing as I had a family that loved me, but often went without when compared to my peers. They tought me right from wrong, and that hard work was the key to get where I wanted - for me this meant education. I have not forgotten my roots and am proud to be from my hometown. More than that love the fact that I can offer my children better than I had as a child.
That's funny, I grew in a poor urban area, located in a region who is pretty economically damaged, born from pretty rich parents.
And what I saw what how easy I had everything compared to other. Not materially, my parent are against wasting, no, but if I had a problem in any field I could just ask my parents, I had a computer at 6, was sent in England for one month when I was 14, could take as much time I wanted at the university...
None of the people I knew as a child made it at the university, and neither did most of those I knew in high school.
My mother did the same as you : she came from a very poor family, and made it to the university.
But seriously, I have things 100X easier.
I know area who are literally rotten, and if I believe statistics, they are nowhere as bad as Tottenham. Still people who live it have a pretty hard time.
We shouldn't let things get as bad as this.