Dear Mrs. Singer,
I am writing this letter to report my findings on consumerism. During my extensive research on various topics related to consumerism, consumerism in America will be my focus in this research paper. I will begin by describing trends and statistical facts that I have discovered about consumerism in America. I will then tailor my research to show the effects it will have on future generations. Finally, I will express my personal opinion on consumerism as a crisis within society, as well as provide psychological findings to support my opinion.
Facts about Consumerism in America
Consumerism in America has dramatically changed over the past 50 years. Ten years ago, it would have seemed ludicrous to purchase a tomato on the …show more content…
Children are becoming targets of companies, in the past two decades, the media has encouraged consumption in children in the same manner as adults(Hill). Parents are contributing to this problem by using their children as status symbols, overwhelming them with brands and materialistic things. Results from Schor’s study concluded that children exposed to consumer culture were more depressed, had higher levels of anxiety, and depression(Hill). Essentially, we are breeding the next generation of debt holders and excessive consumers, thus creating a never-ending problem. Young adults are incurring debt at rates higher than ever before. Before the deregulation of credit cards in 1978, credit cards were reserved for the wealthy(Novotney). Now a day’s people are receiving credit card solicitations as early as high school. The average student debt in 2017 is $37,000, and the latest studies show that 70% of students graduating are leaving school with student debt(Fay). This is having a huge impact in young adults, forcing them to delay purchasing a home, marriage, starting families, or saving for retirement. The effects of consumerism are not limited to materialistic things. Consumerism is also playing a role in our nutrition. American’s are consuming more food than ever before and having increased health problems as a direct result. According to recent studies the obesity, depression, and suicide rates have nearly tripled in teens
I am writing this letter to report my findings on consumerism. During my extensive research on various topics related to consumerism, consumerism in America will be my focus in this research paper. I will begin by describing trends and statistical facts that I have discovered about consumerism in America. I will then tailor my research to show the effects it will have on future generations. Finally, I will express my personal opinion on consumerism as a crisis within society, as well as provide psychological findings to support my opinion.
Facts about Consumerism in America
Consumerism in America has dramatically changed over the past 50 years. Ten years ago, it would have seemed ludicrous to purchase a tomato on the …show more content…
Children are becoming targets of companies, in the past two decades, the media has encouraged consumption in children in the same manner as adults(Hill). Parents are contributing to this problem by using their children as status symbols, overwhelming them with brands and materialistic things. Results from Schor’s study concluded that children exposed to consumer culture were more depressed, had higher levels of anxiety, and depression(Hill). Essentially, we are breeding the next generation of debt holders and excessive consumers, thus creating a never-ending problem. Young adults are incurring debt at rates higher than ever before. Before the deregulation of credit cards in 1978, credit cards were reserved for the wealthy(Novotney). Now a day’s people are receiving credit card solicitations as early as high school. The average student debt in 2017 is $37,000, and the latest studies show that 70% of students graduating are leaving school with student debt(Fay). This is having a huge impact in young adults, forcing them to delay purchasing a home, marriage, starting families, or saving for retirement. The effects of consumerism are not limited to materialistic things. Consumerism is also playing a role in our nutrition. American’s are consuming more food than ever before and having increased health problems as a direct result. According to recent studies the obesity, depression, and suicide rates have nearly tripled in teens