Consumerism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Consumerism - shew ExamplePart of the problem is the image that we are expected to portray. Most people subscribe to the theory, if everyone else is purchase it, then I want that too. If one of your friends went out and bought a new Ferrari, even though he already owned four cars, then you would inevitably feel envy towards him. Society would demand that you went and did just now the same thing because you cannot look out of place.Broken down, consumerism basically is correlated with social standing. If you are of a certain social class, then specific lifestyle choices are expected of you. Take for instance our propinquity friend who is making not much more than the minimum wage. She is a immaturer so in that respect are always expectations that she is cool enough for her peers. Peer pressure plays an enormous part in consumer spending. Our teenage neighbor makes only $8 per hour, which is barely enough to survive yet she is spending hundreds of dollars on Gucci topographic po int and Prada bags. We must ask ourselves why she feels the need to be extravagant when she cant afford it. The causal agency for this is twofold (1) she has to uphold an acceptable image to her peers and (2) she is constantly being bombarded with advertising telling her that her life would be incomplete without a certain product. Advertisers generally use famous people to help promote their products because the lawful consumer looks up to them as a role model. Our neighborhood friend is no different from the rest of usshe feels pressured to live a lifestyle that is perceived bring happiness in our lives.The problem with consumerism is that it increases the gap amongst the rich and the poor. According to the World Bank, the richest 10% of people on earth account for over half(a) the total consumption. On the other hand, the poorest 10% only contribute less than 1% towards the global total. Consumerism is impart to the breakdown of societies as