It's really not. Hard work does lead to a better life. It's fulfilling in its own right, at least for me. That's why I go to the gym and push myself regularly. If I loaf around all day, I don't feel well. I find meaning and satisfaction from being productive or putting in effort. It's not only societal but biological.
Things are harder for some people, sure. But for children, the bar is so low in the US that a minimal amount of effort could put you on the right track. My experience was basically that showing up and doing what you're supposed to do puts you above 50% of your peers. Consider Hoboken High School. 12% of students are math proficient. NJ is 42, while the graduation rate is 90%. The bar is very low.
[0] https://www.publicschoolreview.com/hoboken-high-school-profi...
That's just a strawman. We're not talking about winning the lottery. This is about whether you improve your outcome by participating in the workforce in some meaningful way.
From the article:
>Despite strong economic performance, a majority of respondents in every developed market do not believe they will be better off in five years’ time.
That shows a disconnect between opportunity out there and people's feeling that they will take part in that opportunity.
I think it's better to be realistic about your chances and it may help to drive the political discourse into the right direction as well. After all this is a political issue.
In the end as others have said here it's more important to have a balanced, happy life and good health than to chase the lotto ticket in a rigged game.