I think it’s really easy to assume the careers (like a lot of people in their districts) are wealthy, but I think they have so many things about them that mirror the US military.
while the career districts are probably nowhere near the capitol in wealth, I don’t think any merchant or upper class members of the districts would be keen on voluntarily training their children to maybe win or maybe die, even if they’ve been brainwashed into buying into the games. I wonder if careers come from lower income families in their districts; families lured in with the promise of government assistance while their child is in training. The risks are death but the odds are significantly higher than other non-career districts, and if their child wins they’re guaranteed a comfortable life. (im sure propaganda is one hell of a drug too)
that would mirror the US military in a (admittedly much more extreme) way, a government sponsored program that typically targets lower income families with the promise of benefits, but ultimately uses them as pawns to either comeback fucked up or die for the sake of national pride.
In SOTR it’s clear the careers aren’t given an education beyond how to fight in the Hunger Games, a lack of education isn’t ideal if these kids are taking over family business of diamond mining, fishing, or weapons dealing.
Also the existence of the careers alleviates the stress on the merchant class, they don’t have to worry about losing their child/heir in the Games because the careers will always volunteer.
