The Effects of American Consumerism
America, the land of the free! Americans are a proud people. We have fought wars for freedom and for the rights of the people. Yet, are we really so free, and at what cost to others? The steady rise in consumerism has created a devastating effect not only on our every day lives but on a global level. The Great Depression of the 1930s affected people of varying statuses, both the rich and poor. It mirrored a time of unemployment, poverty, and a drop in consumption by Americans. Following this time of extreme recession, we were then faced with World War II. World War II brought great economic change, with a mass of new jobs, higher pay, and more financial stability. With this, we left behind the sustainable …show more content…
As a more industrialized nation, we have put more emphasis on what is convenient for the average American, rather than what is healthier. The rise in jobs in America also proved to support the fast food industry, which began to take shape in the late 1940s. The fast food industry not only appeals to adults for their convenience but to children with their free toys and the promise of fun. But at what price do we pay for this need for food that is easier and more convenient? As the rise has increased steadily over the years, the need to create more food has to be met. This is reflected in the high number of factory farms that plaque our American soil. Factory farm practices are extremely detrimental to the health of Americans. We are being fed animals that have been pumped up with antibiotics, live in horrific unsanitary conditions, and overall are being treated in an inhumane way, all to support a more convenient lifestyle. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), “Over 99% of farm animals in the U.S. are raised in factory farms, which focus on profit and efficiency at the expense of the animals’ welfare.” As the saying goes, “you are what you eat,” and this is reflected not only in health concerns revolving around the American diets but the epidemic of obesity in …show more content…
It is what drives our economy and allows us a wide variety of choices when it comes to food, clothing, and shelter; therefore, allowing us to be as creative and individualistic as we would like. It creates jobs and stability for families. Without our desire to consume, there would be no need for many businesses and would in turn affect their ability to provide for their families. From an international viewpoint, it does build businesses in poverty-stricken communities and provides jobs for many though we should be careful in which companies are producing our products and ensure that they have good working conditions and are observing labor
America, the land of the free! Americans are a proud people. We have fought wars for freedom and for the rights of the people. Yet, are we really so free, and at what cost to others? The steady rise in consumerism has created a devastating effect not only on our every day lives but on a global level. The Great Depression of the 1930s affected people of varying statuses, both the rich and poor. It mirrored a time of unemployment, poverty, and a drop in consumption by Americans. Following this time of extreme recession, we were then faced with World War II. World War II brought great economic change, with a mass of new jobs, higher pay, and more financial stability. With this, we left behind the sustainable …show more content…
As a more industrialized nation, we have put more emphasis on what is convenient for the average American, rather than what is healthier. The rise in jobs in America also proved to support the fast food industry, which began to take shape in the late 1940s. The fast food industry not only appeals to adults for their convenience but to children with their free toys and the promise of fun. But at what price do we pay for this need for food that is easier and more convenient? As the rise has increased steadily over the years, the need to create more food has to be met. This is reflected in the high number of factory farms that plaque our American soil. Factory farm practices are extremely detrimental to the health of Americans. We are being fed animals that have been pumped up with antibiotics, live in horrific unsanitary conditions, and overall are being treated in an inhumane way, all to support a more convenient lifestyle. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), “Over 99% of farm animals in the U.S. are raised in factory farms, which focus on profit and efficiency at the expense of the animals’ welfare.” As the saying goes, “you are what you eat,” and this is reflected not only in health concerns revolving around the American diets but the epidemic of obesity in …show more content…
It is what drives our economy and allows us a wide variety of choices when it comes to food, clothing, and shelter; therefore, allowing us to be as creative and individualistic as we would like. It creates jobs and stability for families. Without our desire to consume, there would be no need for many businesses and would in turn affect their ability to provide for their families. From an international viewpoint, it does build businesses in poverty-stricken communities and provides jobs for many though we should be careful in which companies are producing our products and ensure that they have good working conditions and are observing labor