Materialism is central to the American dream. The United States is the land of riches compared to so many other countries. Everything is so easily accessible and affordable to much more than just the upper classes. It is no wonder we have massive amounts of immigrants. Who wouldn't want to come to a place where it is possible to have things that will not only make your life easier and more comfortable, but to have things just because you want them? Is it wrong to have material items just because we want them? Maybe materialism actually is not a bad thing though, as Twitchell believes.
"Most Americans have spent their way to happiness" according to Stanley Lebergott (392). Money is supposedly not able to purchase happiness but it seems that it greatly contributes to the happiness of Americans. We purchase things that help us or that we enjoy. These things bring us happiness. But we also purchase things to show our status in society. This is sometimes the negative side of materialism. Materialism can definitely increase the gap in social ranking, which creates jealously, anger, and hate.
Materialism also plays a large role in defining who we are as individuals. "Without a BMW there can be no yuppie, without tattoos no adolescent rebel, without big hair no Southwestern glamor-puss, without volvos no academic intellectual, and well, you know the rest" (394). All of these things that define these people come from having purchased something. The cars, the tattoos, the big hair... We are what we consume. Perhaps it is sad that buying things is how we make ourselves "stand out" but I suppose it is the way of things. Who would ever think to just rely on our personalitys'?! Materials are how we represent our personalities.
Materials are also tied to memories and this brings another positive aspect to materialism. "...happy family members often described, for example, the times their family had spent on a favorite couch..." (395). The items we have purchased can help us to remember good times and the people we love. I know I tie many memories to materials. I have a stuffed animal that will always remind me of my grandma and my old bunk beds still make me think of playing on them with my cousins as a kid. But sometimes the memories are bad such as the perfume I associate with my ex-boyfriend, and the blanket that reminds me of the day my parents divorced.
There are so many aspects to materialism. It has good and bad qualities and it is almost impossible to choose one side. Yes, it can make us crazy consumers who are just selfish to out-do everyone in our purchases. But it can also make us happy and appreciate how lucky we are to be able to purchase all the things we can. Materialism definitely contributes to human happiness.
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