Affluenza An American Epidemic Essay examples - 852 Words

Affluenza is an epidemic which effects millions of people in the United States. â€Å"Until this century [20th], to consume was considered a bad thing† says Jeremy Rifkin an expert on affluenza ( Gross ). The victims of affluenza are consumers who work long hours at a job they hate so they can buy things which they don’t need ( Fight Club ). Like AIDS, affluenza has spread quickly throughout the United States showing no prejudice of race, sex or color. However, unlike AIDS, affluenza is a compulsive addiction to shopping, which can be cured by spending less time consuming and more time enjoying life. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;As the majority of parents work longer hours then other parents did in the past to†¦show more content†¦The average employer in the United States now makes about 326 times more then the average employee. ( â€Å"The Affluenza’ Epidemic† ). nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Working a repetitive job, credit debit and unhappiness are some of the other social problems many teenagers will unknowingly have deal with as they enter the workforce. As these teenagers grow into adults and have children of their own, they too will raise their children with the help of television as their parents did. They will be led to believe that they are helping their family relationship by staying at work later and spend less time at home. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The effects of affluenza on our environment are also extremely horrifying. As a Cote Page 3 nation of consumers we neglect our environment, and believe that our natural resources are inexhaustible. Roughly fifty percent of youth in the United States would rather go shopping then enjoy a hike in the woods ( Willis ). According to Allan Gerald â€Å"Our annual generation of total waste...would fill a convoy of garbage trucks half way to the moon† ( â€Å"A Bad Case Of ‘Affluenza’† ). Endangered species and global warming does not concern people who are infected with affluenza. What concerns people who are infected with affluenza are celebrity magazines and cable television ( Fight Club ). nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Many people have found that volunteering to live aShow MoreRelatedAffluenza in American Society1739 Words   |  7 Pages This disorder is called Affluenza it is very catching and once polluted with the disease it is difficult to be overthrown. Affluenza is characterized as an unhealthful connection with money, blown up hopes and tiresome efforts to keep up with the Joneses. Affluenza creates anxiety, bankruptcy, and becomes the reason of several problems in associations. Even though, there are some people who have unlike definitions for Affluenza. Many people find Affluenza to be a rich man s mentalRead MoreThe Epidemic of Affluenza is Sweeping Through America Essay850 Words   |  4 PagesAn epidemic is sweeping all through America. This epidemic has affected just about every individual in America. Millions could be diagnosed with it yet they do not realize they have it. It is changing the everyday thoughts and actions of those with it. It damages all individuals who let it consume them. It is nearly impossible to cure. Medication is useless against it. There is not outright proven immunity to prevent one from receiving this nasty disease. It can cause symptoms such as stressRead More Affluenza: To Buy or Not To Buy Essay775 Words   |  4 Pages Affluenza: To Buy or Not To Buy There is an epidemic widespread throughout the country. A highly contagious disease of being out of control; overconsumption, and the symptoms normally include compulsive shopping, high debt, overwork, a sense of entitlement, obsession with externals and quot;having it all,quot; wastefulness, and stress. The disease is called affluenza, which is derived from the word â€Å"affluence,† meaning: abundant supply, wealth, and riches. Affluenza has been described as:Read MoreOverconsumption in America Essay1063 Words   |  5 Pagesmore the quality of life deteriorates. This made me think about how much Americans waste food and natural resources. For example, FOX had a show, where people tried to out eat each other. The glutton and wastefulness was appalling, and at the same time, entertaining to some. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Theres an epidemic sweeping the country. Its not your typical virus, but rather a /highly contagious disease of epidemic overconsumption, and the symptoms include compulsive shopping, high debtRead MoreAffluenz The All Consuming Epidemic By John De Graaf852 Words   |  4 PagesAffluenza is defined as the need to consume and pursuit a high status in society. In the book Affluenza: The All Consuming Epidemic by John de Graaf, David Wann, and Thomas H. Naylor, the authors explain affluenza, and how it causes overwork, personal stress, the erosion of family and community, high debt, and the growing dissatisfaction for current living. A large contributor to affluenza is advertisement, a tactic that encourages over consumption by purchasing items irrationally. The sports industryRead MoreAffluenza Essay3817 Words   |  16 PagesAffluenza is a painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more. It is a powerful virus that has infected the American society, threatening our wallets, our friendships, our families, our communitie s, and our environment. Since the United States has become the economic model for most of the world this virus is now flowing freely on every continent. The costs and consequences of this disease are massive even though theyRead MoreFight Club, the Reflection of Materialism2337 Words   |  10 PagesFight Club is directed by David Fincher, written for the screen by Jim Uhls, and based on a novel by Chuck Plahniuk. It was released to Americans recovering from the Columbine school shootings in the fall of 1999. Fight Club tells the story of a nameless, malcontent young corporate clone (Edward Norton) who hooks up with a magnetic, near-psychopathic loner and rebel (Brad Pitt) and descends with him into a quasi-fascist nightmare.1 Nortons character, Jack, narrates the movie, and his ironicRead MoreThe Concept Of Prison Privatization1910 Words   |  8 Pagesthan other members of society. Radzinowicz goes on to say that racism is behind the way in which the law is applied and sanctions are administered. He uses the â€Å"war on drugs† as an example of the racist application of the laws targeting African American communities. Is this truly targeting specific communities because of racial specifics or are they targeting neighborhoods because they are drug infested? With privatization the cost of doing business means operating with the bare minimums. PrivatizationRead MoreEssay on Recreation, Leisure and Play3846 Words   |  16 Pageswhat we own, but rather how we feel about ourselves and what happens to us in our everyday lives. Some people today suffer from affluenza, the bloated, sluggish and unfulfilled feeling that results from efforts to keep up with the Joneses. It is an epidemic of stress, overwork, waste and indebtedness caused by dogged pursuit of the American Dream. In layman’s terms, affluenza is experienced when people have the mentality that their possessions is what defines them as an individual. This is not to sayRead MoreThe Millennial Generation: A False Sense of Entitlement3228 Words   |  13 Pages after stealing beer from Wal-Mart, driving with three times the legal blood alcohol level, with six passengers, and then killing four people in a car crash. He pleaded guilty, claiming that his affluent raising which lacked limits led to his ‘affluenza’ impairing him to discern right and wrong. Many are infuriated that this teen is getting away with these inexcusable actions because of the resources his family has. The Couch’s were able to afford an excellent attorney that helped Ethan get let