Why do people oppose America’s consumer culture?

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Consumerism is a sociological behavior that began in 20th-century United States and is characterized by the wide-scale consumption or purchase of material goods by consumers.

By the year 2003, consumer spending in the United States accounted for more than 67 percent of the gross domestic product and today runs higher than 70 percent; the United States is the highest spending consumer culture in the world. The phenomena of consumer culture and spending, in particular, fuel the American economy like no other force.

A number of criticisms have accompanied the meteoric rise of consumer culture. First, starting in the 1980s, spending outpaced income and savings with the result that Americans have sunk deeply into debt in order to maintain the consumer culture. The driving consumer spending culture has accelerated credit card debt, which consists mainly of consumer debt. Credit excesses fueling consumer spending have caused bankruptcies and business failures.

Opposition to consumer culture is reflected in the products that are sought and are the subject of consumer spending. Much of the criticism comes from the ethical, moral and religious standpoint with battle lines drawn between this group against the purveyors of consumer culture such as corporations involved in the manufacture and marketing of consumer products along with the users of these products. Consumer culture, say its opponents, supports the idea that materialism leads to happiness and fulfillment in life and therefore is a good human value in and of itself.

The prime tool behind the influence of those seeking to perpetuate consumer spending and culture is television. Television found in the home of practically every family constantly bombards the public with advertising messages paid by consumer product marketers urging viewers to spend in order to be part of the consumer culture. Beyond the advertising itself, television programs prominently feature shows with plot lines and characters that seem to advocate that consumer culture values such as wealth, popularity, romance and the good life are achieved through consumer spending and the acquisitions of material things. Opponents argue that people in their natural state would pursue a healthy social and moral lifestyle if not for the pernicious influence of television.

A related effect of consumer culture is the creation of a powerful driving desire for material possessions causing people to seek money in an unrestrained fashion with little or no regard to what they are doing to others in this relentless pursuit. This desire leads to greed to the point that having money has become a primary goal in life. This, say its opponents, results in the weakening of a person’s desire to pursue spiritual lifestyles as well as healthy social and family relationships.

Another area of concern is the medical effects of consumer culture. There is an increased incidence of disorders such as depression, low self-esteem and dissatisfaction, all said to be caused by escalating materialism. The increasing use of psychotherapy is said to consist of people suffering from diminished life satisfaction and the inability to feel. Relatively new disorders reflect the overwhelming concern with consumer culture such as compulsive shopping and shoplifting.

Consumer culture, also say the critics, has no regard for the environment. Consumer culture drives the unquenchable search for natural resources, leaving behind a devastation of environmental pollution.

The culture is also said to offer an escape from life by means of virtual reality products, falsified images and lifelike television and cinema images portraying a false reality, all for the purpose of fueling the interest in new and growing consumer goods to be purchased.

Resource by A.Moore

I just moved to Michigan from South Carolina. This is my first winter here and so far it's freezing. I enjoy traveling, drawing, camping, writing, and doing community service in my spare time. I work for a education company and help them with their outreach to teachers and students. Hope everyone enjoys my articles.

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