The American culture of materialism is not new. It has been around for a while. Materialism means putting material comforts and possessions above spiritual values. In our modern society, there are hundreds, if no thousands of examples where people obsess over material goods. Many Americans believe they will be happier, more connected, have a better status in society, and feel fulfilled if they buy. The more money you earn, the better off you are. It’s the American way of life, where consumers want to buy as much as they can even when money is tight.
The cost of technology continues to rise, as does its quality. Apple and Samsung, two American companies, are focused on selling, designing, and developing electronics. Both companies are giants in the industry, producing a range of products including smartwatches and computers. Apple’s iPhone 11, which is famous for being the first iPhone ever, was released in America at a starting price of 1200 dollars. Samsung releases the Galaxy Note Plus phone, which starts at 1,000 dollars. These prices are the most expensive ever for the entire smartphone market. These companies seem to have no problem selling their product to thousands Americans. Jefferson Graham stated that iPhone sales in 2017 exceeded their previous record by 211,000,000. Jefferson says that the iPhone is the most popular brand in 2017, and you can see this by looking at the top selling tech products of 2017. The Apple Watch is fourth and the Galaxy smartphone is second. The latest smartwatch, phone or computer can make some people feel fulfilled or believe that they are of a higher social status, until a new version is released. It shows the materialism of American society.
Americans spend thousands on housing. Some might say that Americans are looking for comfort and relief. The trend is changing, as Americans spend more money on housing. Rent, bills, or insurance would be the main expenses of an average American household. The trend has changed with the introduction of expensive appliances and furniture. Americans’ homes are becoming more expensive with items like high-speed web, the largest and best plasma TVs, and touch screen appliances. The American culture will make people feel like they’ve failed without a large house and all the necessary items. This makes them buy more. This is done in the hope of gaining a long-lasting feeling of fulfillment. But, buying only gives a short-term sense of fulfillment.
Fashion continues to grow, and people are spending huge sums on clothing. This shows the materialistic nature of American society. Nike, Adidas Louis Vuitton Gucci and other brands are American companies who make millions from clothing sales every year. A well-known clothing brand makes people feel privileged. They also feel that they belong to an elite class. Clothing is a great example of how materialistic American society can be. Clothing is only used to wear it, and for no other purpose. Yet clothing companies charge hundreds of dollars per item like jeans, shirts or shoes. Joel L. Young speaks about depression, low self-esteem and anxiety. These emotions can lead to people becoming materialistic or compulsive consumers. American materialism is at an all-time peak. People are willing to spend the same money on a Louis Vuitton t-shirt as they do for their mortgage or rent.
American society values material possessions and education over intrinsic value. The search for intrinsically valuable items is lacking. Ryan T. Howell says that Americans are under the impression that materialistic people will be happier, have higher social standing or be in a better state of well-being. This is incorrect. The only way to make a change is for society to stop judging people on the basis of their incomes and possessions. We can achieve more if we concentrate on things other than money and possessions.