High school students representing 17 high schools and the Home School association in southwestern Michigan schools serve on the Kalamazoo Gazette's Young Editorial Staff (YES), which is coordinated by freelance writer Phyllis Rose. The students pick their own discussion topics. The views expressed in Our Turn are solely those of the students, not the Gazette. These Our Turn pieces were written by: Jacob Stroud, Amber Emmons and Rachael LeFevre.
Forget English. Money should be our official language because Americans have become far too materialistic. In fact, our motto should be: “Shop ’til you Drop.”
It seems almost predetermined that our country would be centered on material goods because when our land was first settled, it had infinite riches. People from all continents poured into this country in search of the American dream, which involved, above all, freedom.
However, the American dream changed when a country of all cultures solidified, and a culture that could unite all people of all backgrounds was created: materialism. The American dream became the Frigidaire inside the mansion with three new Cadillacs in the garage. The frontiers had been eliminated and the quest for freedom had been transformed into a search for cash.
Now, more than two centuries after the country was founded, materialism seems to be at its peak. Shopping malls are our churches, celebrities our gods, and “People” and “Vogue” our bibles. Like Paris Hilton, you can be famous simply by being rich. President Jimmy Carter said, "Human identity is no longer defined by what one does, but by what one owns." I see this within my own school, where more students identify with Kim Kardashian than Gandhi.
Another example of our extreme materialism is our current system of trade. We are the consumer nation, buying more than any other country. We take goods from everywhere, without considering the repercussions. Now consider what we produce — barely anything.
This demonstrates our current mentality: Consume the world without producing for it. A lower price is always the better option, even if what this causes is loss of American jobs, environmental hazards and unfair conditions for those beyond our borders. We have become far too materialistic. If we continue to consume without reasoning, then, as “Shop ’til you Drop” suggests, we will come to an end, a drop far too deep to climb out of.
Jacob Stroud is a senior at
Hartford High School.
America is becoming more and more materialistic. And it is becoming a problem, especially in schools. As America advances in technology, our materialism seems to grow, too, as technology has become a tool in entertaining people.
A century or two ago, our society’s hierarchy was based on money and land. Today’s new materialism determines your placement on the social ladder. In my high school, if you don’t have an iPod, a new car or a lot of money, then the cool crowd often doesn’t even notice you. In almost every American organization, money and things are the whole foundation, so it makes sense that Americans would be so materialistic.
Instead of getting comfort from family, many Americans gain comfort from their things, and their things are what make them happy. I know families who eat meals in separate rooms because they’re more involved with their phones or laptops than their own families. Things are beginning to replace people for sources of happiness and comfort, a growing yet disturbing problem in American society. Technology seems to be a double-edged sword as it helps people yet it hurts relationships.
Although technology makes it easier for people to gain information, it’s also making it easier to replace people. I admit I don’t think I would be able to do well without my cell phone or computer, but I do not judge people based on what they have because that seems really shallow. I would never replace family or friend interactions with technology or things, but I’ll admit that there are people I talk to more on the computer than I do face-to-face.
America has become way too materialistic. I know this because I come to school and see the so-called nerds who are in my opinion really cool while some more materialistic people only see their clothes, their hair, their cars, their iPods and never really get to know the people inside.
Amber Emmons is a senior at
Allegan High School.
In 1985, Madonna released her hit single “Material Girl.” The iconic hit, proclaiming the widespread concept of the importance of money and riches over love and relationships, was an instant success. Now, 25 years later, the song’s theme rings more true than ever in America.
Americans thrive on materialism. No matter how many items we own, we always want more. Shiny cars, high-tech televisions, fancy clothes — we can’t get enough of the products our world offers. We have turned our society into a giant competition between those who have and those who don’t.
It doesn’t matter how much we already possess. We need the biggest and the greatest to feel more accomplished than our fellow Americans.
We are spoiled. While people in Third-World countries struggle to provide food for their families, Americans have thousands of fast-food joints, grocery stores and high-end restaurants. We drive gas-guzzling SUVs and state-of-the-art vehicles. People in other parts of the world think any car is an improbable, lavish luxury.
Perhaps the most frightening part of this greedy obsession is that love of materialism is spreading to our youth. I’ve experienced this firsthand.
Recently, a peer found out I had obtained my driver’s license, and she asked what kind of car I had. To her complete mortification, I replied I didn’t have a car. If I want a car, my parents said I would have to pay for it myself. This incident shocked me. If this is what our youth are coming to, what can we hope for in the future?
We need to open our eyes to this ridiculous phenomenon. Instead of coveting the latest products, we need to be thankful for what we have. We should be grateful for the blessings in our life that we take for granted.
If we don’t end this vicious addiction to materialism, it’ll only get worse. Madonna was undeniably right. We are living in a material world.
Rachael LeFevre is a senior at Portage Central High School.