The English words affluence and flu were combined to create the word “affluenza” (influenza). Despite the fact that the term was originally used in 1954, it only became well-known after a documentary of the same name started broadcasting in the USA in 1997. Affluenza is a psychological condition that spreads through social interactions, makes a person constantly want to consume more, which results in waste, debt, and anxiety. People with affluenza put in long hours at professions they don’t particularly enjoy in order to make more money and purchase items they don’t actually need, as the expression from the film Fight Club illustrates.
the genesis of the affluenza idea. In the USA, there were more schools than malls in 1986, but by 2005, there were only roughly 22,000 schools compared to 46,000 malls nationwide. Seventy percent of Americans, according to statistics from the USA, visited a mall at least once each week. These figures are all American. It particularly demonstrates the growing consumption frenzy. Until the 20th century, consumption was viewed negatively; however, starting in that century, it started to be viewed favorably.
According to a hypothesis advanced by British psychologist Oliver James, there is a link between a society’s economic disparities and the prevalence of affluenza. In addition, people strive to earn more in order to purchase more, which makes psychiatric problems prevalent in consumption-oriented society. Affluenza has caused people to place a greater value on wealth, popularity, and looks.
There is a self-sustaining cycle of affluenza. Over time, people have to work longer hours than their parents did in order to support themselves. They don’t spend enough time with their kids as a result of this predicament, and the kids end up watching TV more. Contrarily, through its commercials, television teaches kids how to make wise purchasing decisions. When the toys they see on television are rejected, children feel unworthy. But prior to the Age of Affluenza, kids may be content with just a few gifts provided to them occasionally (such as birthdays). Nowadays, commercials prescribe to kids a lot of things, including what to wear and what music to listen to. As a result, children of affluent parents who put a lot of effort into supporting their needless spending are also at risk for developing the disorder.
Actually, the affluenza illness can be categorized as an addiction to consuming. Affluenza patients borrow money to shop more, similar to how addicts do it to increase their gambling. According to psychologists, the root causes of these addictions to consumption include social approval and managing rage from other sources. For instance, when a patient’s condition is analyzed, it becomes clear that the patient is not truly interested in viewing movies or listening to music. This patient frequently purchases new televisions and radio systems. It is believed that the man frequently purchases new music and television sets because he enjoys having his neighbors perceive him as someone who is knowledgeable about technology. Once more, people may be enraged with their partners or parents and may indulge in extravagant shopping as retaliation.
Here are some tips for overcoming affluenza:
1. We always ask ourselves, “Do I truly need this thing?” before making a purchase. We must ask the question.
2. We should spend our time doing activities like going for walks or playing games with our kids rather than wasting it rambling around shopping centers.
3. If at all possible, we should choose public transportation over driving our personal vehicle.
4. We ought to have the ability to view all of the commercials we see critically and not take their claims at face value.
5. We ought to set up a household budget and make an effort to balance our revenues and expenses.
We attempted to discuss affluenza, one of the diseases of our time, in this essay. We may assure more effective use of the world’s resources and improve our psychological well-being by leading simpler lives and only consuming what we absolutely need. We have the ability to occasionally reduce the amount of our actual requirements while still acting in the best interests of all humanity.
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