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

Everybody has problems, no matter how much money they have. Though the problems might be very different.

In the book both Cherry and Randy talk about how Bob's parents were always off playing the role of high society couple and never really paid attention to him. Unless he was in trouble, which then they would just buy a way out of it, thus making him even worse. Then to top it off he drank way too much. Then the other soc's felt like they had to follow him because he was kind of the Alpha, and they didn't want to be outcasted from that circle.

I wondered this myself when I rewatched the movie today during the "rumble" scene. Why would all these spoiled rich kids want anything to do with poor greasers? Even if they're fighting, wouldn't they just consider it a waste of their time? Wouldn't they just try avoiding them all together instead of associating themselves by picking fights?

The conclusion I came to was that sometimes no matter how rich, unhappy or "happy" you are, people will still get a kick out of bullying/tormenting/messing with/bothering etc, those considered "lower" than them. Maybe they're young, have nothing better to do, have no guidance from their parents, or are just genuinely bad people.