The Inequality of Wealth in America

Topic: American Dream is translated to consumerism

Source: Novotoney, Amy. "What's behind American Consumerism?" What's Behind American Consumerism? American Psychological Association, July 2008. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.

Description: The article describes the psychological patterns seen in Americans as to why they consume all the material items that they do. It states, "Researches says that new ways of advertising, paired with cultural shifts to consumerism, seem to be driving the trend" (Novotney 1). It continues to state that millions of dollars go into advertising each year, and advertising companies are manipulating Americans by find possible ways to dig deeper into their minds. The article continues to state the with every generation that passes, consumerism is becoming more extreme.

Analysis: The correlation between consumerism and wealth in America is outstanding, both are so greatly craved in today's society. The disillusion of the American Dream heightens pressure for Americans to succeed with an abundance of consumption. The American dream was originally defined as an individual who comes from an empty background and masters the idea of success. In today's society, people have changed the definition to mean consumption creates happiness and success. Also, it is very uncommon for an individual to rise above from an empty background, and most extremely rich people are born into it. The false American Dream has led the United States to be selfish and individualized. This does not only apply to the wealthy Americans but to all; a lot of Americans are more concerned about their individual aspirations than anybody else's. With that being said, I have noticed that in my case, as well as many other not so wealthy American families, we seem to take a slightly different outlook. For example, I grew up in a household with a single mother and five siblings; we were and continue to fall below the poverty line. Growing up, we were taught to make sure we were taken care but to make sure everyone around us was taken care of as well. We always shared our meals, our clothes, and our shelter with anyone who needed it. While I was in grade school, most of my friends were a lot wealthier than my family, but I seemed to be the only who knew that material objects did not just get hand-fed to every individual, that only some families could afford it. None of my friends understood that, and were always so confused on why I didn't own the same designer tennis shoes or backpacks like they did. It seems to be more and more common as American youth are growing up now; they are raised and exposed to copious amounts of consumerism in their households and the media that is seems taboo to not be wealthy. The idea of the American Dream is being implanted into the youngest of generations, and it's teaching our society to be very consumed in one's self. I propose the true American Dream to be the idea of being comfortable with one's own life. It has nothing to do with the items that one owns, but to be truly content and appreciative of what one earns and is provided. If all Americans lived a lifestyle of appreciation, the idea of consumerism would not be nearly as selfish as it is today.