Consumerism: Good or Bad?

In today's society consumerism is often portrayed to be a negative aspect of people's

lives and purchasing behaviors which inevitably leads to materialism. Many of these viewpoints can be analyzed as being subjective in that they focus primarily on "frivolous" products and "debts" created, but yet fail to acknowledge the processes of the concept of Consumerism. Consumerism is defined as, "The movement seeking to protect and inform consumers by requiring such practices as honest packaging and marketing, product guarantees, and improved safety standards; and the theory that a progressively greater consumption of goods is economically beneficial." (dictionary.com). The definition of consumerism and the image depicted by a large majority of today's society contradict one another to a great degree. Consumerism is a part of a perpetual monetary cycle that fuels today's socio/ecological marketplace.

Consumerism has been unjustly epitomized as some sort of iniquity that is demolishing today's society (Rosenblatt 23). This is also believed to be true by Judith Levine of Publishers Weekly. Levine considers consumerism to mimic "street drugs" in that they are very much addicting and are continuously destroying economies around the world (Levine). Consumerism is inexpensively apparent in the persistent buying of new goods and services, with diminutive awareness to their total value to the customer (McCormick). Consumerism is fueled by large amounts of money directed towards advertising that's intended to generate mutually a want to pursue fashions, and self fulfillment through acquirement of goods. A considered consequence of consumerism by anti-consumers is Materialism. Numerous anti-consumerism activists believe that consumerism hinders the mechanics of society through the substitution of normal aspirations for an abundance unneeded materials with small regard for the true usefulness of being efficient. "Out with old, in with the new" and "bigger is usually better" are believed to be the usual and anticipated consequence of producer or whoever profits from consumerism (Colvin).

Growth in consumerism has illuminated various sardonic reactions; yet, society frequently tries to overlook consumerism's positive aspects which are circulated in all portions of modern society. It is the depiction of the irresistible influence the media is able to place upon society, which provides a pure example of the "bad" consumerism people scrutinize, also known as false advertising. Consumerism is coupled with media consequently; it is obligated to act as a strong foundation within the base. Advertising does not represent consumerism as an evil since it only gives a representation of consumerism through the use of multimedia and imagery. It is impolite and egotistical to generate the beliefs that people attack consumerism unfairly whereas they partially depict an aspect. Additionally, these beliefs are fueled from the same source on the grounds of which they can draw the same masses to their side. Consequently, while consumerism creates progressiveness through its influence, it should certainly not be depicted as "bad" by society.

Consumerism is represented by the media as an incentive which promotes the interest of the buyer, conversely, this is purely advertising. Consumerism is a faction that encourages the interest of the consumer. Encouraging the attention of the consumer is described as a positive element of consumerism; however, it is advertising which promotes the interest of the consumer, consequently, influencing their control (Kulman).

Consumerism is also known as a movement that seeks to provide adequate information about products so that consumers can make wise decisions in purchasing goods and services. Most people confuse the actual meaning of consumerism with the definition of advertising, explaining the negative connotation attached to the word consumerism. Nevertheless consumerism is essentially opposed when advertising attracts people. Typically products have ingredients that are referenced with a complex number system that people cannot attain. Consumers are being and becoming victims to propaganda and material advertisements, which does not allow the mean of society to make wise decisions in purchasing goods. With ingredients that are referenced with a complex number, consumerism offers protection and compensation from fraudulent products and compensation can be given by law if the products or business firms are fraudulent.

Consumerism is playing a potentially positive role in Health Care currently. With the health care industry broadening at such a rapid pace and prices of medical care increasing so quickly, Americans potentially may have to participate in a more direct role in paying their medical bills. Through consumerism, competition in the medical field will be created with who can produce the best performing prescription drug at the most efficient cost. Dr. Richard Cooper stated, "It can work in areas such as wellness care and prevention," he says. "But when you have cancer, you're not a very good consumer. You can't be both sick and a good consumer. There's too much emotion and you can't be objective enough in your choices. At some point, patients with life-threatening illnesses have to rely on a trusting relationship with their physician to help them make those important life decisions (Sneider)."

There are many consuming effects of consumerism such as: environmental benefits, more jobs created, increased disposable income, enhanced market competition, and the promotion of small businesses. Without consumerism, the economy (sociologically and ecologically) would not be as advanced as it is now. Many innovations and successes of mankind can be credited to consumerism and the information given to consumers by requiring such practices as honest packaging and marketing, product guarantees, and improved safety standards; and the theory that a progressively greater consumption of goods is economically beneficial by consumerism.

Consumerism benefits the environment through several approaches. Marketing for recycling over the past decade has increased with the awareness of environmental issues being spread globally. Consumerism has also pushed marketers to use other tactics of honest advertising which are more environmentally efficient such as using the internet instead of printing magazines and newspapers. With society utilizing technological advances in computers and the internet, these methods of marketing have been proven to be just as effective as traditional methods and much more environmental friendly.

Personal health and hygiene can be accredited to consumerism as well