Consumerism

Today's society seems as though it is being taken over by consumerism. The term consumerism is defined as the tendency of people to identify strongly with products they consume, particularly of name brands and status-enhancing appeal. With the marketing world growing larger by day it seems more and more people are attracted to the advertised products and feel the need to have them in order to keep in style with the rest of society. The term "conspicuous consumption" applies to those people who show off their products in order to show their wealth. These people who show off their expensive clothing, jewelry, or cars are trying to make an impression on people. Yet what does this impression hold?

Even as you walk through the halls of PUC you can see many people wearing the more expensive clothing with name brands stitched boldly across their chest. Why do so many people do this? If you ask them they would most likely reply that it is in style or the latest trend. People strive for acceptance. However showboating is not a genuine way to go about gaining acceptance. Just because a person has the finer things in life does not mean they are a better person. From my experience, some people even grow shallow enough to think poorly of people who do not have the more expensive items or clothing.

We are a society consumed by consumerism. It is sad to say that, but it becomes truer each day. Think of how much consumerism has grown over the last 15 years or so. It is scarey to think where we will be in another 15 years.