These days, people live in a throw-away society that is affected by increased consumerism, waste crisis and improper use of products. The reasons behind this are people’s need to elevate their social status and businesses’ freedom to promote their products. The only way to ensure fewer people are affected by consumerism is to introduce specific subjects related to this phenomenon in schools.
The majority of people are convinced that the only way they can improve their lives is through buying. That changes their spending habits and makes them buy items they may not need. iPhones, for instance, are often bought due to Apple’s brand power, with certain people purchasing new ones for higher prices after their release. However, in terms of functions, iPhones are not too different from several other alternative devices. Yet, people have been associating this brand with status, meaning people who do not have iPhones may not be as respected.
Another reason why people have been buying more than needed is the freedom of businesses to advertise nearly without limits. Their marketing campaigns are ubiquitous. Ads can be seen everywhere, ranging from billboards to websites, meaning people are exposed to marketing on a consistent basis. It can also be argued that people may not always be media-literate or understand how marketing works in general. This lack of awareness is what could be another reason why consumerism has become so excessive.
One rational way to ensure consumerism is somehow regulated is to educate people from a younger age. New subjects such as financial literacy, basics of marketing and media studies could be added to curricula to make sure younger people understand the phenomenon of consumerism better. This new educational approach can be the key to tackling global issues such as climate change because it is consumerism that has been damaging ecosystems in many ways. Many phones, for instance, are partially made of plastic, which is not always recycled when thrown away.
In conclusion, the reasons for the increase in consumerism are people’s need to increase their esteem and the businesses’ marketing impact as a whole. To make sure consumerism is not as excessive, new subjects can be introduced in schools.