Social Effects Of Affluenza

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In 2014, the average American household had $15,611 in credit card debt. Affluenza is the unfulfilled feeling that results from the efforts of keeping up with the Joneses. Many Americans are in debt because they are in pursuit of the American dream and have an unsustainable addition to economic growth. There are high social and environmental costs of materialism and overconsumption. Some symptoms of affluenza include, low self-esteem, and depression. There is an assumption that money buys happiness, it is the myth of the American dream. Americans believe that money solves all problems and their emotional state is tied to financial matters.

In America, people often judge others wealth by their homes, vehicles and outer appearance. In Class Matters chapter 9, the main topic was how customers appeal to stores. One of the retail workers that was interviewed stated that she judged people on their finger nails because good nails/ a good manicure means money. Another retail worker said that one of her customers regularly bought expensive suits but looked like he was homeless. The main message of chapter 9 is that classes are so blurred and it is hard to decipher people
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The fact is that you can never tell a persons wealth based on clothing and car choices. The person that is wearing the expensive clothes, may have found them at the Goodwill, the person driving the Mercedes, may be renting it. A book called “The Millionaire Next Door” reveals how most millionaires actually live frugal lives. They buy used cars, shop for bargains and have no need to let the world know they are rich. If the people that are actually rich do not feel the need to show off their wealth, why do people pretend to be rich when they are not? Many Americans have a different relationship with spending. What they own is tied to their personal identity. What they drive and how they look are how they present themselves to the

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