Dysfunctional Relationship With Money example essay topic

Throughout the past decade, individuals all over the United States have been diagnosed with a dysfunction called Affluenza; this dysfunction has recently begun to gradually affect the entire world. According to Jessie H. O'Neill, affluenza is a "dysfunctional relationship with money, wealth, or the pursuit of it. Globally it [affluenza] is a back up in the flow of money resulting in a polarization [clashing] of the classes and a loss of economic and emotional balance" (O'Neil, 1997-2000). In other words, affluenza is an obsession for the consumption of goods that may range from clothes, cosmetics, and junk food to cars, computers, and traveling.

This dysfunction has been thoroughly studied by psychologists and they have discovered the answers to the following questions: 1.) Where did affluenza originate from? 2.) What causes affluenza? 3.) What symptoms derive from affluenza? 4.) What causes affluenza? 5.) How can this dysfunction be cured?

This essay on "Affluenza: The Epidemic", will discuss the results to the previous questions. Where Did Affluenza Originate From? In relation to Scott Simon's "History of Affluenza", he claims that this dysfunction "was alive and multiplying in England" as early as the 1700's. The new world colonies wanted the best luxuries for the English nobility because they all believed that the more expensive something was, then the more quality one will get out of it.

In the U.S., "the voices of economy and anti-materialism were drowned out by the sound of money being made in this new land of opportunity. By 1845, some were already feeling that materialism was beginning to destroy the American spirit" (Simon, 1998). The American people felt this way because they began to notice that possessions and money were overruling every aspect in life. Furthermore, a man named Henry David Thoreau wrote a book on living the natural life without basing life solely on money-oriented substances. "The book appeared to Americans to 'simplify, simplify, simplify,' with the rewards of living in harmony with nature and living more fully" (Simon, 1998, ). Apparently, this book would mean absolutely nothing to an American today because our possessions are very important to us; our property determines who we are to society.

In the 1870's, luxury department stores were developed; these department stores were the beginning of the affluenza epidemic and consisted of retailers such as Marshall Field in Chicago and John Wanamaker in Philadelphia. Once these luxury departments were created, shortly after, shopping became an activity to accomplish in order to relieve stress. "The success of this new shopping concept was assured, since it gave women, who had few opportunities to escape the home, a socially-acceptable place to linger in public" (Simon, 1998); this was the founder of today's shopping malls and generated the leading to affluenza. Also, Mark Twain, an author of the 1900's, called this major shift towards consuming goods "The Gilded Age".

Advertising became a huge phenomenon, everything from underwear to jackets were being advertised. Mass production, which was new technology in the 1900's, made life a lot easier to create advertisements all over the place; ads let individuals know and feel as though they had to have this product being displayed. Even the citizens were being "told by government and industry leaders that consuming made them good Americans" (O'Neill, 1997-2000). The economist, Simon Nelson Pattern, in the early 1900's, claimed that the new environment should not be concerned with saving money, but more concerned with consuming more and more products. Unfortunately, as for now in the 20th century, large sums of Americans abandon budgeting and accommodate consuming expensive goods (Simon, 1998). In 1919, a new method came into play; auto buyers were being introduced to receiving loans for their cars.

This establishment was first presented by "The General Motors Acceptance Corporation". The thought of having money on the spot to pay for something was soon out of the picture (Simon, 1998). Soon after, credit cards were introduced to the public in the 1950's; credit cards were introduced by "Diners Club" which first introduced the credit cards to "traveling salesmen for convenience on the road" (Simon, 1998). The point in having a credit card was to charge everything purchased to it, and then just pay the money charged on the card at the end of each month. Additionally, due to credit cards being used all over the place, the phrase "charge it" may be embedded into our dictionaries (Simon, 1998). In 1980, Ronald Reagan, the 40th President, was fully against the idea of saving and the reduction of consuming; Reagan lacked care for the environment and he just wanted everyone to spend their money to prove loyal citizenship.

Additionally, in 1984, the phrase "bigger is better" was being displaced across billboards, ads, and even bumper stickers. One of the most successful shows that won an Academy in 1987 was called "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous"; this show was hosted by a man named Robin Leach. Throughout this show he would yell out about "dreams money can buy" (Simon, 1998). According to the "U.S. News and World Report", this admired film, "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous", portrayed "the old less is more; down-with-materialism atmosphere... has been brushed aside. A flaunt-it-if-you-have-it style is rippling in concentric circles across the land.

Greed is good! Greed will save the U.S.A. !" (Simon, 1998). Above all, affluenza is just a name that was given to the uncontrolled consumerism of materialism; unfortunately, this dysfunction may increase in catching individuals all over the world (Graaf & Boe, 1998)..