Do you think people are too materialistic these days?

[Anonymous]

Compared to previous generations, do you think people (esp. the younger generations) are too materialistic these days? It seems all people care about are looking good, buying brand name items, and reading celebrity gossip. I just feel that everyone I know are really into material things as a measure of success. What is your theory behind such massive consumption? I think that there are more opportunities and people are getting better educations, thus better jobs. They have more money but not enough time, so they don't raise their own children, and to make up for this, they give their children what they need financially, but not emotionally. As a result, a lot of kids these days don't know where to look for guidance, so they turn to the media and peer pressure, etc. They watch shows like Sex and the City (a show I like by the way because of the characters) and see all the pretty clothes and rich lifestyle and they think it will give them everything they want so that is what they aim for. What do you think?

[helms_girl]

Our materialistic ideals having changed is congruent with the ideals we expect of ourselves as attractive beings, and others who we are attracted to. Today in the fast moving world, where everything costs more, and everything is worth more, you have to work to keep up. And that's what causes the materialistic and somewhat pretentious actions in us. We have changed because the idea of beauty has changed. In the 20's was all about the flappers. Women with absolutely no breasts to speak of, and rail thin were considered the most beautiful. In the 30's, that was all forgotten and we wanted soft curves, wide hips, and curly short hair. That stayed true until about the 60's, when tall and thin, with long hair came back. From there on, the waistlines have gotten smaller and the busts have gotten bigger with every year. Back in the 60's a decent car cost $3000. Now, you have to flash out about $50, 000. And by next year, a new edition has come out, and you're rolling your way out of style with every mile. We're also expected to be smarter. The average IQ right now is about 95. If you had that score about 100 years ago, it would have scored as 130. You'd be a genius. The many things we know (or think we know) brings us part way to mediocrity. This world is made by the top dogs. You need to prove you're a top dog by being the best of the best at everything. We have to be beautiful, we have to be smart, we have to be cunning, talented. We have to have the nice cars. expensive jewelry, nice clothing, and the best education to have some sort of status. To be somebody. And everyone wants to be somebody. Which means that we sometimes have to stomp down on others to do it. We have to be everything we can be and more to get half the stuff that we want and need to be even considered a person of status. Without status we won't make money, we won't find a desirable mate, and thus, our children will fall into the same pattern. It's quite sad, huh?

[Asker]

Yes, I think this is how many people think and it is terribly sad because they are missing out on life trying to attain "status," which I think is completely unimportant? Will you think about your status at your deathbed? No, you will look back and think about your friends and family, good memories, real things. I just never understood this need to consume so much. But anyway, the real price of things hasn't risen. One needs to take into account the issue of inflation.

[Asker]

If you take inflation into account, many things still cost relatively the same. But there has definitely been a shift in what is important and what is not. So often I see people attain rich lifestyles and they get all the material things they want, but they're still not happy. People forget that the best things in life really are free.

[helms_girl]

Status does matter. We usually say it doesn't matter to make ourselves feel better, but it does. Usually, someone of importance will have more friends, and thus, more people to mourn them on said deathbed. People who are beautiful, smart and rich will have better memories of life, because you may have more lovers, a better experience in school, and can afford things that make them happy. The trick is to not let your materialism make you a rotten person. Just hard working and deserving of it all

[helms_girl]

In regards to inflation, you are right. Things cost relatively the same, but the cost to make these things are getting more expensive because we are running out of natural resources, and places to make them for cheap. I do believe you are perfectly right about the best things in life being free. Family, friends, health, etc. But to be successful while having those things is 10 times better, don't you think? We would all have it all if we could.

[Asker]

Status isn't of extreme importance to me. And beautiful, smart, rich people aren't necessarily happier. I know...because I have been there, done that and I have seen other people experience this. Do you really think having more lovers will make your life more meaningful? It is not quantity but quality that matters more, I think. I'd rather have three great friends than a long list of acquaintances. More often than not, beautiful, smart, rich people are envied and hated.

[Asker]

I went from poor to rich and you're right, you get more "friends" but they are there for networking. I don't know if you have personally experienced this, but it's just something to think about. Status, wealth, beauty, material goods--sounds great on paper and if you don't have, you think it will give your life meaning and happiness. But trust me, there is more to life. Much more.

[helms_girl]

Yes, you are right about all this. No lie. But the world is nasty, and this is what they want. Think of it this way, for instance; Would you marry a pudgy, balding man with bad teeth, who works a dead-end job as a grocery store manager because he dropped out of High School at 17, because he was incomprehensibly dumb, just because he loved you? You could. But you would much rather have a loving guy with a bit of muscle, smart, great smile and a good job to match. That's just the way it is.

[Asker]

No, that's not what I'm talking about. That man is just lazy and unmotivated, that's not what I condone. What I'm saying is that a lot of young people today are misled about happiness because of a lack of guidance. So they think designer handbags or the latest phone will make them happy. And to get these things, they toil away in high paying jobs they hate (my friend's in engineering, earning lots of money but hating her life).

[Asker]

I think people should step back before they kill themselves to get things that won't necessarily bring them happiness. Because once you enter that wealthy, privileged world, you will eventually realize that it is more fake than real and that if you were hoping it will give you meaning, you were missing something deeper to begin with and it's not status or wealth. Anyway, I think you got my point when you said not to let the consumption/materialism get to you; some people do, sadly.

[mandyjune]

I couldn't agree with you more. You state some great points about our materialistic society. We gotta make some changes in our spending habits. Here's an article that just says how materialistic our society is today: https://www.gobankingrates.com/savings-account/are-americans-too-materialistic/

[Reeses-pieces777]

it's always been this way hasn't it? I grew up poor and I had to work when I was in high school and still get good grades. idk. if people are smart and they see past the fact, it's all commercialism, they'd just buy what they need and not more and more redundant material .

[Asker]

I really don't think it has always been like this. My brother grew up in the '80s and he says values were very different back then. Nowadays, there is such an increase in emphasis on attaining material goods and achieving financial success, more so than ever I think.

[Dela1111]

I completely agree with you on the, for the most part, disintegration of our society. Kids are raised by TV which turns them into exactly what they are supposed to be: Fat, greedy, immoral, non thinking adults.

I saw a movie last night where a Chinese man was speaking about Americans. How we can't hike without hiking boots, can't run without expensive running shoes, can't even bike without a helmet, etc. We, along with the rest of western society, have gone so far past our basic needs that the lack of the luxuries, causes somebody to think they're unfortunate and going without what they need.

After all where else in the world are the poor people fat?

[Asker]

But as less developed countries become more economically powerful, they start to follow these same patterns of over consumption. It all seems so ridiculous to me. I see young people buying a lot of junk everyday and they won't even use it: a new designer handbag or pair of shoes every week, tons of make up products, electronics that they don't take care of, etc. People are just too concerned with status and material things these days, they forget to focus on what is important.