If the Socs are so rich and happy....

Well as Cherry told Ponyboy at the drive in, things are tough all over. So maybe they're not always as happy as others might think. Outward affluence can often be a mask to hide people's fears and insecurities. Often people feel the need to look down on others in order to feel superior.

Money doesn't guarantee happiness. I know several people who are proof of that.

"It is rare for people to be asked the question which puts them squarely in front of themselves."

As it says in the Kris Kristofferson song... "Everybody's got to have somebody to look down on"

I always figured it was because they had no real problems, so they have to go out and make problems. Boredom too, since they have nothing else going on.

Guessing it's just difficult for them to let go of a rivalry that was supposedly started by one of the greasers? Nah.

Apart from them trying to find any excuse to blame the greasers for whatever problems (or lack thereof) they face, it could be nothing more than the socs being complete a-holes without nothing better to do. And as it’s been mentioned, it’s not unlikely things couldn’t have been going smoothly for them in their own lives (from potentially having lousy parents to being involved with drugs). But one thing’s for sure, they were pricks who did look down on anyone who didn’t come from their circle. And that, my friend, is something that's always been part of human nature.

Look at all the people that have fame & fortune that take their lives. You never know what is really going in people's lives.

Because the town only had a rundown drive in and a Tasty Freeze. No where to spend money, hang out. The kids are all bored.

Ever heard of fraternities?