I’d guess it has to do with the sanctity of the original item.
And that definitely lies in the eye of the beholder.
Religious items have sanctity, in the eyes of religious people and and of those who have made “respecting the religious feelings of others” part of their value systems.
Rarity breeds sanctity, in the eyes of people who care about our ever-dwindling connection to the past.
Monetary value breeds sanctity. Even people who care about money only to a moderate degree will disapprove of a waste of money.
Patriotic symbols often develop a certain sanctity.
And in my family, musical instruments always had that air of sanctity about them.
Of course the point is not to “become professional pianists”. But it’s not about “showing a cultured upbringing”.
But the people who invest in piano lessons for their kids don’t do it because they think that it “shows” cultured upbringing, but because they consider it to be cultured upbringing.
Of course, the meaning of “cultured” is not universal. But I know that my mother encouraged me to stick with my piano lessons because she herself was able to derive a lot of enjoyment from being able to play it. And I’m still thankful to her for that.
