Rather, I wanted to understand your world view, because I guessed it might disagree with mine, but listening to other people's POV is a good way to learn and question your own beliefs.
Most girls/women have a very sensitive detector of social status or it's various proxies, because that's what they sexually select for. (It's kind of similar to how boys/men are attuned to detect physically attractive women.) And many of them are quite self-aware and honest about this capability, and they will confirm that having money is related power and status. Some will even openly admit that they're attracted to wealthy and powerful people.
So I was merely suggesting, if the GP doesn't personally believe there is a strong connection, he should find a honest girl and ask her, she will probably confirm that, it shouldn't be too hard. (Actually, Piketty makes a similar point indirectly by quoting various Jane Austen's works, where people are just obsessed with the question how to marry to wealth).
To clarify, it doesn't mean that men don't want to gain social status; men can do the detection too of course, but it's less of a concern for them, so they're probably less skilled at it (they are interested only indirectly).
Of course, this is not even remotely sexist, because I am not talking about anyone's preferences to begin with. But I was worried that explaining my point could cause derail of the discussion (not necessarily by you).
Rather, I wanted to understand your world view, because I guessed it might disagree with mine, but listening to other people's POV is a good way to learn and question your own beliefs.