In adulthood it more based on one's ability to actually perform socially useful activities. Not 100% obviously, but a lot more than childhood.
Obsessed? Some. Aware? Everyone is aware of them, consciously or not.
> because it determines everything about your life - who you can talk to, who you can date, who you can work with, etc.
I mean, sort of. It’s always present in these determinations, but it’s only one factor.
I believe you’re right to say that some exposure to a status-focused microcosm is good for understanding how to navigate society, but I really don’t think it’s as extreme as you make it out to be.
I've found this to be a pretty apt generalization in literally every place I've lived, which at this point encompasses a half-dozen major cities spread out over several thousand miles.
The people who are supposed to be overseeing this and averting this mess generally have other concerns, limiting their ability and willingness to intercede.
Really, the only changes are the time-horizon and how the social groups are sorted.