Probably both the privileged, as well as those who are not.
They just pretend different things, I suppose.
The destitute might pretend (or at least imagine) what
it would be like to have plenty of food, for instance.
For some it might be pretending they are a fairy princess,
or a fireman, or a mommy with their baby (dolls.) Pretend
tea parties (hmm, I’m sure Sarah Palin pretended that.), forts
under blankets, whatever/wherever their imaginations take them.
Many games, I suppose, can even be categorized as pretend,
it’s just, some remove individual imagination and replace it
entirely or partially with someone else’s. Like RPGs, for instance (made for both children and adults.)
Anyway, the point I’m getting at is, even as adults, the
pretend doesn’t necessarily end. Or has to.
Some pretend is still fun.
Roll Playing (in a lot of different ways, hint *wink* hint), Cosplay, Reenactments, even sub-cultures like Steampunk, Rockabilly, etc. can enhance one’s life. Take you away from the here and now. Let’s you be a child again in some respects.
Then there is the emotional pretending. Pretending (or convincing
yourself) you are happy. That everything is fine. Your life
is wonderrful and has meaning.
Pretending that there is no global warming, that a God
will answer all your prayers, that your government is doing what is best for you.
Yeah, I know what your thinking, geesus she’s a cynical biatch.
Maybe I am, but I sometimes pretend I’m not.
Then again, I sometimes pretend I’m not from this planet or even dimension. That I belong to a race long since dead.
Whatever get’s you through your day and makes you happy, right?