I don't know the circumstances of your life, so maybe what you say is true, but at least in my case, I had huge advantages in reaching the point where I could provide said value:
1) I was born in a wealthy, stable country
2) to, even for said country, well-off parents
3) with a natural inclination to mathematics/logic
4) and access to computers/internet resources from a young age
...and were you to switch places with one of the great unwashed masses, and they were to piss all that opportunity away, they'd be fools still.
We all play the hands we're dealt in life, using whatever calculations make sense to us. We are "graded" by the effectiveness of these calculations. The fact that somebody else given the same inputs could still screw everything up or make the same decisions implies, to me anyways, that we shouldn't worry about or have guilt for our initial conditions.
You could have thrown all that wealth and opportunity away (as many do), but you didn't. Don't undervalue your own efficacy.
I too was born into a stable country but my parents were far from rich or even well-off (they are now, but back then they had almost nothing).
I have no idea if they have a natural inclination to mathematics/logic -- and I doubt it would have matter, my brother studies chemistry one of the subjects I suck most at.
I didn't have access to a computer that early, at least not earlier than my classmates, but they spent all their time gaming, I spent (some) of my time with Delphi.
It is true that my life would have been different if I had been born in Rowanda, but I was no better of than those I grew up with.
I guess both you and the parent are right - You definitely had advantage over people from poorer/war torn countries etc - but you did work for what you achieved, it didn't just come to you for free :)
>The reason we don't have to worry about getting a job is because a computer programmer provide value and because we are good at it.
Just because you are talented at something doesn't equate to job security. Programming has nearly unlimited applications to add value because they can globalize nearly anything: music, travel, art, literature, etc... An average programmer has greater potential to impact more people than an incredible painter.
Most programmers do live a life of privilige. The word privilege doesn't always a negative connotation; people interchage it with spoiled and don't give it a second thought.
I worked hard to get to my position. I spent many hours up late studying in college, I spent and spend many hours up late after college learning the new technologies as they changed, and I spent and spend many hours at my desk late trying to help (in a small way) ensure that the company that is paying me succeeds. I have worked hard to get where I am, and I am aiming even higher.
But...I also had both luck and other people helping along the way. I was born in America, that was my biggest lucky break right there. I was born to parents, that while they didn't earn a lot of money, both invested time and money to help me learn when I was young.
When I was older, I had a great mentor that helped me make the transition from the Army to DBA. I still benefit from the time people in the SQL community spend on writing articles I learn from and even answering my direct questions on places like Ask.SQLServerCentral.com
So, yes I worked for and earned my position. But I know I had help along the way, and I think it is a good thing to turn around and giving a helping hand to others not so far up the path from time to time.
1) I was born in a wealthy, stable country
2) to, even for said country, well-off parents
3) with a natural inclination to mathematics/logic
4) and access to computers/internet resources from a young age
All of these seem like privilege to me.