The Consumerism, is merely not a term today, its an era. Gradually this term having Benedict meaning, transformed to a negative expression. The transformation is as interesting as its transliteration and use in vocab. So let me first name its former meaning.
Before 21st Century (year 2000) the term was used for informed buyers or consumers who made their purchasing decisions wisely after considering all the parameters/requirements. For sellers it meant, making their customers informed about the quality, quantity, packaging, pricing, etc, hence empowering efficient decision making.
So originally it is a virtuous term, symbolizing the buyers/consumers, and at the same time enforcing sellers/companies to play fair to have a long term advantage. And now the transformed meaning of the term, which states:
Consumerism is a social and economic order that encourages the purchase of goods and services in ever-greater amounts. Consumerism is the selfish and frivolous collecting of products, or economic materialism. Consumerism is a force from the marketplace which destroys individuality and harms society.
With its new definition it essentially refers to thoughtless and impractical buying or spending habit. In India, since year 2000, there has been a tremendous rise in the standards of The Great Indian Middle Class. There is a rise in the spending power of the people. And above all, there had been a competitive society to prove their supremacy by showcasing a new product each day. The competition had led to ever increased consumerism without pondering over a second before making the buying decision.
On the other hand the companies/sellers have exploited the situation by excessive marketing of thoughtless and useless products. They exploited the foolishness of the naive people. The situation kept engraving and as the saying goes you practice what you preach, the new generation is the byproduct of the ill effects of consumerism.
For the coming generation, a day spent without money is like a punishment of highest order. The children in metropolitan cities spend away a hefty amount of their pocket money on expensive restaurants, coffee bars, on tips, on new gadgets and so on. They can live without food, but not without their gadgets, casual lifestyle. They like to travel, stay in expensive hotels, motels, but are hesitant to spend a night over a relative's place. Similarly when a relative visits them, they find their home small to accommodate the guest.
They do not like anyone not even their parents indulging in their life. Parents feel its their moral duty to support their child financially, to help him survive in this era of consumerism. They do not want to let go their position in the race to consumerism because of their children. The consumerism has stolen away all the thoughtfulness of people, not just as a consumer, but as a person.
Indeed Consumerism is not just a term today. Its an Era. If you are young in your 20s or 30s then welcome to the era of Consumerism!!
Before 21st Century (year 2000) the term was used for informed buyers or consumers who made their purchasing decisions wisely after considering all the parameters/requirements. For sellers it meant, making their customers informed about the quality, quantity, packaging, pricing, etc, hence empowering efficient decision making.
So originally it is a virtuous term, symbolizing the buyers/consumers, and at the same time enforcing sellers/companies to play fair to have a long term advantage. And now the transformed meaning of the term, which states:
Consumerism is a social and economic order that encourages the purchase of goods and services in ever-greater amounts. Consumerism is the selfish and frivolous collecting of products, or economic materialism. Consumerism is a force from the marketplace which destroys individuality and harms society.
With its new definition it essentially refers to thoughtless and impractical buying or spending habit. In India, since year 2000, there has been a tremendous rise in the standards of The Great Indian Middle Class. There is a rise in the spending power of the people. And above all, there had been a competitive society to prove their supremacy by showcasing a new product each day. The competition had led to ever increased consumerism without pondering over a second before making the buying decision.
On the other hand the companies/sellers have exploited the situation by excessive marketing of thoughtless and useless products. They exploited the foolishness of the naive people. The situation kept engraving and as the saying goes you practice what you preach, the new generation is the byproduct of the ill effects of consumerism.
For the coming generation, a day spent without money is like a punishment of highest order. The children in metropolitan cities spend away a hefty amount of their pocket money on expensive restaurants, coffee bars, on tips, on new gadgets and so on. They can live without food, but not without their gadgets, casual lifestyle. They like to travel, stay in expensive hotels, motels, but are hesitant to spend a night over a relative's place. Similarly when a relative visits them, they find their home small to accommodate the guest.
They do not like anyone not even their parents indulging in their life. Parents feel its their moral duty to support their child financially, to help him survive in this era of consumerism. They do not want to let go their position in the race to consumerism because of their children. The consumerism has stolen away all the thoughtfulness of people, not just as a consumer, but as a person.
Indeed Consumerism is not just a term today. Its an Era. If you are young in your 20s or 30s then welcome to the era of Consumerism!!
