Materialism in consumption can lead to a strong desire to accumulate goods for wealth and status. While it can stimulate an economy, excessive materialism can harm individuals and the community. Materialism can provide ongoing satisfaction through long-term or short-term purchases, but when it becomes the main focus of life, it can lead to devastating consequences. Counseling can help regain perspective.
Materialism in terms of consumption has to do with the strong desire to accumulate goods as a form of wealth. People considered materialistic tend to place more emphasis on this acquisition of wealth and the resulting status on other issues, such as spirituality and relationships. While materialism can be a positive factor in building any economy, excess expressions of this trait can also cause great harm to individuals and the community.
In terms of consumerism and capitalism, the presence of materialism can actually be a good thing. The desire to acquire items that will make life easier or provide more entertainment will help stimulate an economy and encourage the process of free enterprise. Marketing and sales campaigns often appeal to the materialism inherent in many consumers by promoting goods and services as highly desirable and providing a certain status to anyone who acquires the products.
As part of the process of consumption, materialism is often based on the task of providing ongoing satisfaction. In some cases, materialists get this satisfaction by purchasing possessions that could last for an extended period of time, such as a vehicle or a house. Other times, the focus of materialism is to entice consumers to purchase products that provide short-term satisfaction, but must be repurchased from time to time as newer versions are released. Home computers, portable devices, and home entertainment equipment are examples of short-term products that could be replaced within a year or so by new and presumably more desirable products.
At best, materialism fosters a climate in which people are able to engage in business activities that generate income and financial security. The desire to acquire motivates developers to constantly look for ways to improve existing products in order to compete with other developers or develop completely new products that will make previous selections obsolete and therefore no longer desirable. Within this type of climate, the consumer benefits, as there are more options to consider when purchasing goods or services and thus adding to personal wealth.
However, when materialism becomes the main focus of life, the results can be devastating. Materialists who are overly interested in acquiring wealth and possessions may find themselves rejecting loved ones, missing out on opportunities to meet new people, or even enjoying those items they have acquired. In this case, counseling is often helpful in the task of regaining perspective and returning the materialistic inclination to a more equal position within life’s priorities.
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