Expensive Value

Expensive Value

American culture is known for certain characteristics that define them, which they call American values, one of these values is the materialism (which will be defined later on theessay). This text is going to give answer to the most important question that the lector should ask him/herself about the causes and effects of materialism in American culture since a point of view ofa Colombian citizen. Those questions will be: What is the materialism? Why are Americans materialistic? How materialism affects Americans? What if Americans stop being materialistic? Later, everylector will be capable to take a position about this complicated value.
First, it is necessary to contextualize the topic. Materialism could be defined as “preoccupation with or emphasis on materialobjects, comforts, and considerations, with a disinterestin or rejection of spiritual, intellectual, or cultural values” (dictionary.reference.com). This means that for American culture the materialproperties are most important that some spiritual values, and for them is very important have enough money for satisfy their basic needs and their unnecessary whims.
Second, it is important to know thecauses of this materialism. In words of Robert Kohls “Americans would like to think that their material objects are just the natural benefits which always result from hard work and serious intent”,this is the most simple explanation of why are Americans materialistic. They need to see all their work tangible and they think that possessions will make them happier; it is a feeling of overcoming.Also Americans want always the latest version of everything because they create need in their minds and it increases the materialism every year and makes new generations of children being morematerialistic that oldest generation. For example Mac sale more every year with every new product, like Taylor H. said in his article “Problems with materialism within the American society”: the company said...