Compared to 1957, we own twice as many cars and eat out twice as much. Right now we are all spending money on gifts for ourselves and loved ones in holiday tradition. Consumerism isn’t only affecting our pockets, but also our current mental states. Materialism is becoming a huge problem and it has only grown with each generation. Whether you’re poor or wealthy, consumerism is something that can affect all different aspects of life. It has become so normalized that we don’t even see it, even if it's right in our faces.
MATERIALISM
Materialism is when material items like TVs, cars, clothes, etc. are given a priority in our way of life over other things like friends and family. Just as our nation has grown, so has materialism as new products are released every year and with our technology we can buy anything and it's all at the touch of our fingertips. Ever since September 30th, Amazon has reported one of its most profitable quarter threes in history, bringing in 6.3 billion dollars among a global pandemic. Nowadays, materialism is at an all time high and it only helps make consumerism a bigger problem.
STRESS
Measuring the negative side effects of consumerism is very difficult as these feelings and emotions will vary person to person depending on their experience, although it's been known that people with the least typically are happier than most. However, there are tons of drawbacks and connections that can be associated with consumerism. For example, materialism will usually contribute to a lot of financial problems. Buying a brand new BMW to impress your friends may not be a wise choice depending on your income, as insurance and a financial plan with interests will result in a larger workload for that person. Financial problems are known for their overbearing stress and long term stress can cause problems not only physical, but mentally. Our society has taught us that buying more will increase happiness, and the more one spends the longer one must work which could lead to dissatisfaction.
ADDICTION
Black Friday and the holiday season are known for their amazing sales, as they take advantage of the gift buying season. Every year places like Target, Walmart, Amazon, etc. will release their deals like having their Airpods half off. People go crazy for these deals and these companies know that. When consumers feel as if they're saving more money it makes them feel happy as the brain releases endorphins as a response to the savings. Like many other things that make us release endorphins or feel good, they can become addicting in a sense. Companies will do this so consumers will spend more money and in return they save money and get that feeling. This creates a vicious cycle as we continually try and chase that feeling. Just like an addiction to drugs we begin to get less of a response from a repeated habit, so one must try and spend more money to get more of a “savings high.” This is one of the biggest reasons consumerism is such a big problem as it never ends, it just becomes stronger and more problematic as time goes on.
Consumerism is a big problem within American society and the world as a whole. There is nothing wrong with treating yourself, but so many people get sucked into the loop and spread the problem to others. Society has become so desensitized to consumerism as it has become such a normal thing within our lives. It is very difficult to see the problems it causes and consumerism isn’t something that should be taken lightly as its problems can affect much more than just the individual.