The New Consumerism Summary

Americans today are consumer-driven and rely on materials to fulfill them. Unfortunately, this has permeated through our whole society, but why is that? Because the American market has been controlled by unnecessary consumption for decades and this is not incidental. As Americans we are surrounded by an atmosphere of advertisement that constantly portrays to us the benefits of buying good things and the drawbacks of being the only one without a phone or a computer. They do this in order to replace a want with a need. If a consumer believes something is necessary to a happy life then they will go out of their way to purchase it even if they do not have the ability to pay for it. This “need” complex not only arises from the media or newspapers, but from our neighbors and friends. This social competition for luxury goods has been noticed since the 1950’s and has been created from another need to satisfy. Consequently, Americans have placed many of their identities and lives in materials because they believe that these unnecessary goods will satisfy something that only God can fulfill. Juliet Schor in “The New Consumerism,” concedes with the fact that Americans consume ample amounts of materials as a result of trying to keep up with another family

It gives us a feeling of power and control in our lives when we can buy this sweater or that car, which is true, but is this not another way where we feel a need to buy something? It is great when this helps someone heal, but I believe it will lead to an overwhelming compulsion to buy materials to get another fix. As seen over the years, when someone experiences a good felling, they usually try it again if they believe it to be harmless. Consequently, these uncanny desires to buy luxuries and feel better will result in entering an uncontrollable consumerism where we will lose find no