Parenting Pep Talk: Living in a Material World – Affluenza and its Impact on Society

December 23, 2013 Examiner Media Parenting Pep Talk

Marketers work tirelessly to convince us we will be happier when we have the newest, best, and most of practically everything. Toys, phones, and cars, for example, are remodeled each year and commercials persuade many of us to ditch our old stuff to buy the latest edition of whatever. This is regardless of cost or whether our stuff is truly outdated. In this culture, many of us feel perpetually unsatisfied and preoccupied with “keeping up with the Joneses.”

Affluenza, a term that has received much media attention in the past week or so, is a combination of affluence and influenza. Affluenza-infected individuals are materialistic and always want more. Affluenza, mind you, is NOT an acceptable medical or mental condition. Affluenza affects quality of life for those who fit the description and also affects those who do not. Just ask the victims of Ethan Couch. Last week four people were killed and two injured after Couch hit them with his car while driving under the influence and well over the speed limit. Couch was not sentenced to jail time due to an affluenza defense. The judge deemed Couch to be a rich kid who had no limits imposed on him in the past, and therefore no understanding of the consequences of his actions. This judge sentenced Couch to a swanky treatment facility that costs $450,000/year.

Materialism affects well-being. “People who are highly focused on materialistic values have lower personal well-being and psychological health than those who believe that materialistic pursuits are relatively unimportant,” according to Tim Kasser, researcher and author of The High Price of Materialism. Depression, anxiety, and substance use are higher among those who place a high value on material things.

Materialism affects marriages. One large relationship study found materialism to be linked to less effective communication, higher levels of negative conflict, lower relationship satisfaction, and less marriage stability. Interestingly, couples were affected even more significantly when both partners were highly materialistic. According to Sonya Britt, a Kansas State University researcher: “Arguments about money [are] by far the top predictor of divorce,” she said. “It’s not children, sex, in-laws or anything else. It’s money — for both men and women.”

Materialism affects children. “Psychologically healthy children will be made worse off if they become more enmeshed in the culture of getting and spending. Children with emotional problems will be helped if they disengage from the worlds that corporations are constructing for them,” says Kasser. Children who are more materialistic have lower self-esteem and higher rates of anxiety and depression. They report less generosity and are less considerate of the environment.

Materialism affects social relationships. Materialistic values and pro-social values are like a seesaw, Kasser explains. As one goes up, the other tends to go down. When money and possessions take focus, people tend to be less empathic.

Materialism affects the environment. According to Kasser, materialistic values and concern about nature are another proverbial seesaw. People who are overly concerned with money, image, and status are less likely to recycle, to reuse things in a new way, or to make ecologically beneficial choices such as riding a bike instead of driving.

We need to understand what causes materialism if we are going to combat it. Kasser and others’ research shows that people are more likely to value material items when feeling insecure. He suggests trying new coping strategies when your self-esteem takes a hit. Next time instead of running out to buy the newest iPhone, try taking a walk or visiting a friend. Studies also show that increased media exposure leads people to place a higher value on material things. Parents can get active and try to stop ads from appearing in school. We want to promote intrinsic values like personal development, satisfying relationships, and ecological sustainability rather than highly materialistic values. Engaging in activities that promote intrinsic values might even buffer you and your children from insidious media messages.

Dr. Jaime Black is a licensed psychologist practicing in Westchester and New York City. Jaime specializes in working with individuals on the autism spectrum doing individual psychotherapy and conducting various social skills groups. Visit www.spectrumservicesnyc.com, e-mail JaimeBlackPsyD@gmail.com or call 914-712-8208.