It's OK to ignore things that are culture correct, politically correct, or even what other authors think will be marketable.

Most authors  are overly worried about the reaction of their readers if their work doesn't fit in the current formula for the day for their genre. One of my series lines, The Half Shell Series, is about rich girls who are messed up, and on my other forum I've heard more than once, "Don't tell people she has a good life or let them see she's rich in the pitch or book description. It will turn readers off!"

I always thought that it was more important to make the characters relate-able. If the readers could understand her, regardless of setting and circumstance, then I've met the most important challenge. I don't like Scarlett O'hara, but I love her and I totally understand her. So when I sit down to craft a character, that's my objective. The most important thing is for the reader to connect and invest in the character, and  can do that even if they don't like her.

One of my favorite reader email said: I don't really have any experience with Chrissie's lifestyle, I don't get it, but I totally get it, get her, get it?

Another said: I can't stand Chrissie, but I couldn't put the book down. I had to finish it. She pissed me off, but I want to read the next one.

The human experience is the same for everyone. The rich girls just live in better houses. If readers hate rich girls, well that's OK, because if I've done my job well maybe it will end as a series of girls readers love to hate. That works too.