Materialism
Do you think that America is too materialistic? Do you believe that money can buy happiness? Do you think that people judge others on what materialistic possessions they have? Do you shop to make yourself happy? Do you think Americans are happier because they possess more than people in other countries do? If materialism doesn't lead to happiness, why are people so materialistic?
thanks--
Bryan Skaggs (9:00)
20 comments:
Yes, I think Americans are materialistic. They believe others will think they are better off financially than they really are in some cases. This is one reason why many people are deep in debt on their credit cards. I don't think many people understand that money can't buy happiness, you first have to be happy in your life, and lots of people aren't happy when they are living from paycheck to paycheck. No, I don't shop to be happy, I think it's mostly a waste of time when you could be doing something with your family or friends. I don't think Americans really pay attention to what people are doing in other countries. People are materialistic because they think they have to have all the latest gadgets and anything else that comes along that they think is great.
I think Americans are materialistic. They only buy the best of the best, and it is all expensive. there are some things that need to be good if it is important, but when it comes to purses that cost hundereds of dollars like Louie Vatan and Gucci, i think that is materialistic. Also a lot of America is living paycheck to paycheck and that is not going to make people happy. i dont think that buying expensive things that are not important will make any one happy.
Anton (9:00)
I think people are materialistic to a certain point. Everyone is different though. You don't know if a person is truly happy or sad regardless of what they have unless you are that person. For the most part though, women like guys with money and guys like to have money to show the ladies a good time. So it matters a little but you can find happiness without it, it's just up to you. John 9:00
I definitely think Americans are way too materialistic. There are a lot of people in the world that think people that do not have the "finer things in life" are not worth their time. There are so many people that judge others by the clothes they wear or the cars the drive. Money cannot buy anyone happiness, and I believe there are a lot of people that think it can. There have been many cases of wealthy people committing suicide which proves that having money does not mean you'll always be happy. I think people lose track of what is really important in life; family, friends, and love are things to be valued. Sure, buying whatever is the latest trend can make you feel happy, but it will never be important enough for the happiness to last forever. Having nice things will never define who a person really is, and a lot of people need to wake up and realize that!
Lesley Suding
yes i think that most americans are too materialistic. i know some people that cant buy something unless it is a name brand thing. i personally dont care, if i like whatever it is im going to get it no matter what brand it is. the brand of clothing or the car you drive doesnt make you any better than anyone else so i dont know why people care so much. i dont think money can buy happiness but it sure does help. growing up with my dad being a farmer and my mom not working we werent what you would call poor but we werent rich either, but we all were happy. i think people that live paycheck to paycheck seem to stress more then that just makes them seem like their life sucks, but people with money arent always happy either. yes i think people judge others on what they have. i know when i walk down the hallway and see girls all glammed up to come to school i am thinking what in the heck its just school who cares what you wear. also those people who have everything their hearts desire they judge the people who either dont care or people that cant afford it, which isnt right either, but hey what can you do. i dont think americans are happier then other people in other countries. i dont know why so many people are materialistic, other then they just want to be like someone else rather than being themselves.
kaleen bittner
I would have to say that America is way too focused on the items they have. I think most people are way to focused on what they have and what they can get, instead of what can bring someone true happiness. I mean i have no problem with people who can get nice fancy things, i just have a problem with the people who take that for granted. I think that money can buy temporary happiness, but in the end, you cant take any of that cool stuff with you once your dead, so it really doesnt matter in the end how much fancy junk you have. People in todays time can be very quick to judge a person just by the amount of possesions they have an the amount of cash they have. Americans are counting themselves as happy because the stuff they have when really they are basing life off of the wrong things. It shouldnt be wordly possesions that make a person worth more, it should be ones morals and characteristics taht make that person who they are, not how much stuff and coin they have
Tom Miller 9:00
I do think our society has gotten more materialist. Many people look at what possessions others have and judge them. Going to a Catholic school and not having a lot of money- I experienced that alot. Guys in my high school had no interest in girls that weren't popular or had money. In my opinion people think that materialism is why they are happy but deep down if you didn't have those that love you, you would not be happy at all. I think those who don't have a lot of close people in their lives end up being materialistic because they try to fill that empty hole with possessions.
I don’t think that America is too materialistic, but I think some American’s are.
I think that for some people money can help lead to happiness. Although money in its self will not make someone happy, if for example; the only problems that you have our money troubles, then having a little more money could make you happy, or if your dream was to own a Aston Martin, then buying that Aston Martin and driving it would make you happy. Another point of view is that if you were an unhappy person, having all of the money in the world would not make you happy. I believe it would only make you a more bitter of a person.
People are going to judge people no madder if they should or should not. It’s human nature, I will be the first to admit. I will judge someone by how they act, and carry him or her selves. I don’t think it’s right to think, “Look at that person, and their nice things which they have. I don’t like them.” I believe if someone were to think that way, I would not want to know him or her because they are very shallow person. I can see how someone could judge a person on what they wearing, for example; if you were a boss and a prospective employee came in dressed in a wife beater and cut off jean shorts. You might not hire this person, because of what they were wearing.
I believe shopping can make someone happy, if they have wonted something for a long time, save up their money and by that idem. This situation would make anyone happy, I think. You must understand think that I am happy to start with I don’t need to shop to be happy, but sometimes shopping can add to my happiness.
Having traveled the world, 13teen different country, Americans are very unaware of how good they have it. I real wish more people could understand have well off Americans are. We are one of the only few country that has an immigration problem, with people just coming here to work.
The only way that I can answer the last part of your question, is to say, “People want what they can’t have.”
From Steve Gratkins (9:00 a.m.)
I believe Americans are materialistic in many ways. Many people buy things they can't afford because they don't want to be "left behind" I think. So many people do in fact live pay check by pay check and have credit card bills buzzing in. I don't think money buys happiness in any means but having money isn't a bad thing either, it comes with less worries when your financially fit. Don't need to worry about bill or how you're going to pay this or that. Having money does have it's discvantages though, many take advantage and think people they have money that they can do what ever they want, and won't be punished. Money is a good and bad thing but this world is all about money how aren't Americans not suppose to be materialistic.
Cesar (9:00)
Yes I think Americans are materialistic. Look at how many people have credit card troubles because we are a country of buy now and pay later. The problem is we live over our means. Do I think money buys happiness? No, but it should does feel good to have nice things. I am a women, of course I shop to make myself feel happy. It is called retail therapy. But over the years I have learned sale rack shopping makes me feel good, I feel like I have saved money, but in reality I have just spent more money that did not need to be spent.
I think we look at people with a lot of materials and think they are happier than people without materials. It is not logical, but is just the way it is.
I think that America is very materialistic. Yeah to a point money can buy happiness, it can't buy everything you want, but some people are happy with alot of material possessions. Yeah I think that some people do judge others on what material possessions they own. Yeah I think that most Americans are happier than people in other countries because we do possess more material things.
I think that some americans are and some arent. I mean you have the wealthy people who enjoy show off there money and buying expensive things. And you also have the people who buy expensive things that do not have the money for it and eventually go into debt. Some wealthy people enjoy living life low key, and buy low grade stuff. Which I think is the way too live, because really what good is all that expensive stuff?
I do not feel many Americans pay attention to other countries. I hate shopping and never go. I just let my mom do all my shopping.
Brett VanAsdlen
Well, America spends an amazing amount of money, just on things that people buy just to make their lives better. Most things people even buy are not because they need them, they want them. Even if it is something they need, to fix something they wanted. I spend money on stuff I want, and it always ends up being something I shouldn't have bought, because now I cannot afford something I need. But do I fix that, no, I keep buying things I want, to make me happier.
So yes, I believe Americans are matieralistic.
Scott Breeding (8:00)
I think that Americans are very materialistic. With jealousy and envy comes the need to have what you want. But having whatever you want won't make you happy, or better, or more successful normally. It will just make you have more shit. There are many, many other countries that are less fortunate than ours that are probably just as happy, if not happier than us as a society. If people didn't judge one another on their possessions, then I don't see us being as materialistic as we are. But since we are judged, we feel the need to buy that nice car and that new shirt or purse so people will think more highly of us.
Michael Endris (9:00)
I think that America is too materialistic! Everything has to be big and expensive here. People judge you by what you have not who you are. I don't think that you can buy happiness because if you have all the money in the world you won't be happy after awhile. I have bought things to make me happy, but after I become bored with them I am no longer happy. In order to be happy you must be happy with yourself. I think that people are materialistic because they think that they will be liked more if they have nice possessions.
I do think sometimes that the Americans are materialistic. We always want want want. If the neighbor has something really nice, we have to go and buy something better. To some people money can buy the happiness that they want. It really doesn't matter. Happiness to me is having family, a house to live in, clothes on my back, and love.
Katelyn Watterson 9:00
Americans have perfected the art of being materialistic. I think alot of people have that illusion that the more you have the better you are, to the point where they're buying whatever the next big thing is or keeping up with fashon. All this does is fill up your house with useless junk that may only been used or worn once or twice. Yes, you are judged by what you have and what you wear. I do it myself, if someone looks like they just don't care about thier apperance, I tend to leave them alone. So, I do splurge on myself and the kids on occasion. I don't want them to be made fun of by thier frinds, after all kids can be mean, but I make them earn what they have. I really don't think its other countries most Americans worry about. I believe that it's the person that just drove down the street in a nice,new,exspensive car or going to a friends house with a really nice furnature and 50" plus flat screen T.V. The day to day living that is around us makes us feel like that should be me or I need that right there. I think that it's more of a state of mind and not happyness that urges us into buying more stuff. sort of a compatition to keep up with those around us.
Danny W. (8:00a.m.)
I believe America is very materialistic. Every women's show I see is about money or living in a expensive neighborhood. All they tak about is clothes and essentially money. Money can not buy you happiness, it could make you very happy for the moment but I believe that it actually makes more problems for yourself. Look at alot of the celebrities out there ... alot of them have mental problems, suffer from depression and some have even overdosed from drugs because of that.
Justin Stout (1:00)
Yes, I do think that America is too materialistic and, no, I don't think that money can buy true happiness. There are way too many people who judge others just based on what they have or what they drive. This materialism contributes to the unhappiness that a lot of people feel, regardless of how much money they have. You hear of celebrities being unhappy, killing themselves, checking in and out of rehab, and it points to the fact that money doesn't buy happiness. We believe it does and that having a lot of things will make us happy, but it's an illusion. I don't shop to make myself happy; sometimes I buy things that I don't need and buy too many things, but it's just because I want it at the time. When I have them, though, I'm not happier, but rather get bored of them and am unsatisfied. Americans think they are better off than other countries, but they are not happier. This country has the highest percentage of people on antidepressants and the highest divorce rate, so we are not happy as a country despite our wealth. People are materialistic because that's how they were brought up and that's what is encouraged by society, but it's spending time with family and friends, doing activities that you enjoy, and not spending all your time working to make more money that really leads to happiness.
Yes, us americans are materialistic. I definately think money brings happiness. When you have money you can buy anything you want when you don't have money your basically screwed. When people are having problems paying there bills I don't see how can they be happy. I don't shop to make myself happy. I shop but that is for stuff I want or for stuff I need. Americans are happier than other people in other country's because we do make more money therefore can buy many things.
Jennifer Woodward (12:00)
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