Western Societies And The Global Clothing Industry Essay

As advertising usually portrays the message that material possessions bring fulfillment, happiness, and success, an increase in the perceived reality of advertising can cause an increase in general materialism (Chaplin & John, 2007; Goldberg, Gorn, Peracchio, & Bamossy, 2003). In sum, this study contributes to the existing literature on youth’s advertising exposure and materialism in three ways: (1) it is based on longitudinal rather than cross-sectional data, (2) it focuses on children from an age group (8- to 11-year olds) that until now has received little attention in materialism research, and (3) it deals with both direct and mediated effects of children’s advertising exposure on materialism. Direct Effect of Advertising Exposure on Materialism Several correlational studies have shown that children’s advertising exposure and materialism are positively related (Atkin, 1975a; Atkin, 1975b; Buijzen & Valkenburg, 2003b; Moschis & Churchill, 1978; Moschis & Moore, 1982; Schor, 2005; Ward & Wackman, 1971). Because of their use of cross-sectional data, though, most scholars can only theorize about the causal direction of the relation between children’s advertising exposure and materialism (Buijzen & Valkenburg, 2003a). On the one hand children’s advertising exposure is plausible to precede materialism, because it is advertising’s aim to evoke an increased need for products (Buijzen & Valkenburg, 2003a; 2003b). Up until now, two

This leads them to become brand conscious and focus more on the newest clothes and latest trends. To prove his argument, the author refers to David Elkind’s (a psychologist) study “The hurried child”. According to Elkind this “hurried child” is under a constant pressure to buy branded products, and is forced to act like an adult and hold a level of sophistication that is beyond its years.

In consumption, it is believed trends travel from the upper classes to the lower class as those from a lower social status seek to emulate those of a higher social status, this is referred to as the trickle-down effect (Trigg et al., 2001).

This papers purpose is to teach fashion heavy consumers on the real price of fast fashion and how buying it affects the environment. This type of audience can be anyone who partakes in the buying of well-known cheap retail stores that have a large audience of being fast and obtainable. These consumers should have the information on how fast fashion effects are environment so it could possibly alter their buying habits to be eco-friendlier but buying either less or more sustainable clothing instead of the cheap alternatives. This audience should care about this purpose because this will affect the world now and for future generations as their environment is being mistreated because of these fast

Humans are the most social creatures on earth and what better place to express that then Las Vegas. City where aesthetic satisfaction and quality of life is purely expressed with material behaviors and lines between personal value and choice between tangible and intangible life goals and crossed and at times simply arrested. Scholars view materialism as a type of personality trait that involves personal and societal value. This trait is consumption-based and involves human demand for materialistic items to represent personal and social happiness. Associated with western cultures and capitalism, studies about materialism date back to an industrial and post-industrial revolution of 19th century (e.g., Campbell, 1987; McCracken, 1988; McKendrick et al., 1985; Williams, 1982). Richins considered materialism as a system of personal values (e.g. Fournier and Richins, 1991; Richins and Dawson, 1992).

Today, Americans live in a world where we are constantly encouraged “to keep up with the Joneses” whether it be from advertisment, longer shopping hours, or multiple other factors. A surprising statistic you can find in the book, Affluenza: How overconsumption is killing us--and how to fight back, where it states that “70 percent of us visit malls each week, more than attended houses of worship” (15). Shopping has become so convenient in recent years due to online stores, as well as the growing number of shopping centers, that it’s become a problem. Kalle Lasn, co-founder of the magazine Adbusters and starter of the Occupy Movement, believes that, “Overconsumption is the mother of all of our environment problems” (197). Consumers have come to see shopping as a fun activity while spending time with friends or family. When really over consumption of material goods ultimately leads us to unhappiness, the unsatisfied desire to want more, and possibly put you into debt.

In her 2008 essay, “Stuff Is Not Salvation,” Anna Quindlen argues that the consumer culture in America has been overrun with the desire to spend money on unnecessary “junk” such as “appliances, toys, clothes, [and] gadgets” (160). Quindlen’s main argument is that this “junk” that we own is, for the most part, meaningless and without any personal value to the owner. She believes that people could be happier living more simply buying only the objects that are needed. Quindlen has an agreeable and relatable point of view, however her main claims are not supported by any real facts; only vaguely by personal experiences, future statistics, and rude comparisons.

Fashion is everything to society and the media. The fashion industry has transformed into a necessity in the life of people. Everyone wants to look good, feel fabulous and feel as if we belong with everyone else. The envy and desire to wear certain things and look a certain way all come, from wearing the latest fashion handbags, accessories, dresses, shoes, and the list goes on. But, when is considering fashion into an individual’s life going too far to the extreme? Many do not consider the whereabouts of fashion materials and how the environment is affected by the mere existence of certain garments. Some may believe these objects grow on trees. But that is clearly not the case. Even though it would be nice. The fashion industry as a

Many people claim that consumer purchases stand necessary! Like food, money, and means of transportation, but in modern day, consumers purchase products more for their looks and values, but less for their technicalities. All goods can hold a political statement. If one thinks poorly of a product that the bulk of society highly values, then they risk the chance of being frowned upon . Also, purchasing can increase one’s self-image but that feeling proves only temporary.

It is without a doubt that consumerism has taken over our society today. Everyday people constantly go shopping for materialistic items that they may not need such as the “hottest” pair of

Society is buying objects we do not need, with the money we do not have, to impress people that do not matter. The American Dream is developing into a more materialistic world, a dream in which the dream keeps getting larger and greedier. Materialism is the tendency to think material objects are more important than people; a desire for money over ethics. Today, life shows us that people have a desire for newest, thinnest, updated—most expensive smartphone or the more expensive lavish materials. Life shows us that our car is undesirable now, especially when our cars do not hook up with that latest cell phone. Life shows us unrealistic standards of a way to live, yet a huge portion of the people in society appear to be emptying out their wallets. This materialistic culture is a show, a phony act when in society we pretend we are what we are not. We all live in a materialistic society where the majority of people are more worried about what we have than who we are. There is an emphasis on what brand a person is wearing, what car someone is driving, and just how many objects one has, in general. A person must wonder where this hunger and greed comes from and why most Americans fall susceptible to this phenomenon, including me.

Today’s society is centered around consumerism and has become increasingly materialistic. Therefore, if an individual reduced consumption of some goods, they might fall behind other people in technology or style. DeYoung explains the importance of this solution, “Taking a break from constant exposure to this relentless assault on our desire to acquire and possess may feel like a welcome relief, rather than a burden” (DeYoung, 113). However, this “break” may not be possible for everyone’s lifestyle. Many people need to stay up-to-date with the latest technology or fashion to remain competitive in their industry. The only way to fix this would be to change a whole society’s view on what is important.

As we are constantly exposed to mass media and popular culture in our modern society, the insidious nature of consumerism has allowed it to penetrate into every aspect of our lives, dictating our very beliefs, values and wants. Nearly every individual in our society subconsciously conforms to the shallow and superficial mindset that characterises our consumerist culture. This idea is highlighted by the following texts; the poem “Enter without so much as knocking” by Bruce Dawe, an extract from the sermon “The Religion of Consumerism” delivered by Peter House, the poem “Breakthrough” by Bruce Dawe, and the

Today millions of Americans who compulsively buy are creating a materialistic society. It is unfortunate that most Americans do not realize that when they have to buy something that everybody has, or are eating out continuously they are losing money. Us Americans are shopping for things like name brand items for the sake of our identity and the image we present to others. Name brand items are expensive, but you can almost always get the same quality item for a cheaper price. People are deliberately working to make money to buy these items. On the other hand, downshifters are cutting their work hours to put their values ahead of the amount of money they possess. Downshifters don’t mind what item they buy, they prefer to bargain shop, which allows

Advertising materialistic items more than good values have made an impact on today’s society. In today’s society, people are more concerned on going to get the “newest designer clothes”, that exercise is placed on the back burner. Making an effort to advertise more vegetables and exercise the way we advertise “sexy red sports cars” could help express good values on becoming healthy. Research shows author Martin Richardson, with a PhD in Economics, that “Many countries have expressed concerns that local culture is threatened by…film,