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Essay About Consumerism: Top 5 Examples Plus Prompts

Consumerism is the child of capitalism; Here is a list of essay about consumerism examples and prompts you can read to further your understanding.

The word consumerism can seem daunting to some, but it’s pretty simple. It is defined as “a preoccupation with and an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods.” In the consumerist theory, people’s spending on goods and services drives economic growth- their spending preferences and habits determine the direction a company will go next.

Many businesses practice consumerism. It is a common belief that you must adopt a consumerist approach to succeed in your trade. Consumerism refers to people’s prioritization of spending on goods and services. They have the drive to purchase more items continuously.

If you are writing an essay about consumerism, you can get started by reading these essay examples.

1. What You Need To Know About Consumerism by Mark Scott

2. long essay on consumerism by prasanna, 3. consumerism: want and new pair shoes by tony richardson, 4. my thoughts on being a blogger & consumerism by anna newton, 5. consumerism and its discontents by tori deagelis, 1. does consumerism affect your decisions , 2. opposing consumerism, 3. how does consumerism negatively affect mental health, 4. how does consumerism positively affect mental health, 5. do you agree with consumerism.

“Although consumerism drives economic growth and boosts innovation, it comes with a fair share of problems ranging from environmental and moral degradation to higher debt levels and mental health problems..”

Scott gives readers an overview of consumerism in economic and social terms. He then briefly discusses consumerism’s history, benefits, and disadvantages driving economic growth and innovation. It also raises debt, harms the environment, and shifts society’s values toward worldly possessions rather than other people. Scott believes it is perhaps most healthy to find a balance between love for others and material things. 

“Consumerism helps the consumers to seek redressal for their grievances against the unfair policies of the companies. It teaches the consumers about their rights and duties and helps them get better quality of products and services.”

In this essay, author Prasanna writes about the history of consumerism and its applications in India. First, it helps protect consumers from companies’ “unethical marketing practices.” For example, she cites policies put in place by the government to inspect food items, ensuring they are of good quality and prepared per sanitation standards. When used appropriately, consumerism serves the benefit of all. 

“Anything people see they buy without thinking twice and knowing that they already have brand new pair shoes they have not worn because there to focused on buying and buying till they see they no longer have space in their closet to put new shoes in.”

Richardson takes a personal approach to consumerism, recalling several of his friends’ hobbies of collecting expensive shoes. Advertisements and the pressure to conform play a big role in their consumerism, enticing them to buy more and more items. Richardson believes that consumerism blinds people to the fact that their standards and desires just keep increasing and that they buy shoes for unjustified reasons. Instead, society should be more responsible and remind itself that it needs to take importance above all.

“Take online creators out of the way for a minute, because the pressure to buy is everywhere and has been since the dawn of the dime. The floorplan of stores are set out in a way that makes you stomp around the whole thing and ultimately purchase more, ads on the TV, radio, billboards, in magazines discounts and promotions – it’s endless..”

In her blog The Anna Edit , Newton explains the relationship between blogging and consumerism. Bloggers and influencers may need to purchase more things, not only for self-enjoyment but to produce new content. However, she feels this lifestyle is unsustainable and needs to be moderated. Her attitude is to balance success with her stability and well-being by limiting the number of things she buys and putting less value on material possessions. 

“In a 2002 paper in the Journal of Consumer Research (Vol. 29, No. 3), the team first gauged people’s levels of stress, materialistic values and prosocial values in the domains of family, religion and community–in keeping with the theory of psychologist Shalom Schwartz, PhD, that some values unavoidably conflict with one another. ”

DeAngelis first states that it is widely believed that more desire for material wealth likely leads to more discontent: it prioritizes material things over quality time, self-reflection, and relationships. Increasing one’s wealth can help solve this problem, but it is only a short-term fix. However, a 2002 study revealed that the life satisfaction of more materialistic and less materialistic people is not different. 

Prompts on Essay about Consumerism

This is not something people think about daily, but it impacts many of us. In this essay, write about how you are influenced by the pressure to buy items you don’t need. Discuss advertising and whether you feel influenced to purchase more from a convincing advertisement. Use statistics and interview data to support your opinions for an engaging argumentative essay.

Consumerism has been criticized by economists , academics , and environmental advocates alike. First, research the disadvantages of consumerism and write your essay about why there has been a recent surge of its critics. Then, conduct a critical analysis of the data in your research, and create a compelling analytical essay.

Consumerism is believed to impact mental health negatively. Research these effects and write about how consumerism affects a person’s mental health. Be sure to support your ideas with ample evidence, including interviews, research data such as statistics, and scientific research papers.

Essay about Consumerism: How does consumerism positively affect mental health?

Consumerism often gets a bad reputation. For an interesting argumentative essay, take the opposite stance and argue how consumerism can positively impact mental health. Take a look at the arguments from both sides and research the potential positive effects of consumerism. Perhaps you can look into endorphins from purchases, happiness in owning items, or even the rush of owning a unique item. 

In this essay, take your stance. Choose a side of the argument – does consumerism help or hinder human life? Use research to support both sides of the argument and pitch your stance. You can argue your case through key research and create an exciting argumentative essay.

For help with this topic, read our guide explaining what is persuasive writing ?

If you are interested in learning more, check out our essay writing tips !

consumerism essay example

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118 Consumerism Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Consumerism is a pervasive force that shapes our society and influences our behavior as individuals. It revolves around the idea of acquiring and consuming goods and services in large quantities, often driven by the desire for status, identity, and satisfaction. With its profound impact on our lives, consumerism has become a popular subject of discussion and analysis. If you are tasked with writing an essay on consumerism, here are 118 topic ideas and examples to inspire and guide your writing process:

  • The rise of consumerism in modern society.
  • The history and evolution of consumerism.
  • The impact of consumerism on the environment.
  • Consumerism and its relationship with capitalism.
  • The role of advertising in promoting consumerism.
  • The psychological aspects of consumerism.
  • The influence of social media on consumerism.
  • The connection between consumerism and materialism.
  • Consumerism and its impact on personal relationships.
  • The effects of consumerism on mental health.
  • Consumerism and its impact on children.
  • The role of consumerism in shaping identity.
  • Consumerism and its impact on cultural values.
  • The influence of consumerism on fashion trends.
  • Consumerism and its impact on the global economy.
  • The ethics of consumerism.
  • Consumerism and its impact on education.
  • The relationship between consumerism and happiness.
  • Consumerism and its impact on social inequality.
  • The influence of consumerism on food choices.
  • Consumerism and the rise of fast fashion.
  • The impact of consumerism on waste generation and disposal.
  • The role of consumerism in the pharmaceutical industry.
  • Consumerism and the rise of online shopping.
  • The connection between consumerism and debt.
  • The impact of consumerism on local businesses.
  • Consumerism and its impact on the labor market.
  • The role of planned obsolescence in consumerism.
  • Consumerism and its impact on personal freedom.
  • The influence of consumerism on leisure activities.
  • Consumerism and its impact on body image.
  • The role of consumerism in the entertainment industry.
  • The impact of consumerism on urban development.
  • Consumerism and its impact on sustainable living.
  • The influence of consumerism on travel and tourism.
  • Consumerism and its impact on healthcare.
  • The role of consumerism in the automotive industry.
  • The impact of consumerism on cultural heritage.
  • Consumerism and its impact on social activism.
  • The influence of consumerism on technology adoption.
  • Consumerism and its impact on privacy.
  • The role of consumerism in the beauty industry.
  • The impact of consumerism on personal values.
  • Consumerism and its impact on globalization.
  • The connection between consumerism and overconsumption.
  • Consumerism and its impact on personal finance.
  • The influence of consumerism on housing choices.
  • Consumerism and its impact on mental well-being.
  • The role of consumerism in shaping political ideologies.
  • The impact of consumerism on the fashion industry.
  • Consumerism and its influence on body modification.
  • The relationship between consumerism and social status.
  • Consumerism and its impact on social media influencers.
  • The influence of consumerism on cultural appropriation.
  • Consumerism and its impact on personal values and beliefs.
  • The role of consumerism in the gaming industry.
  • The impact of consumerism on the music industry.
  • Consumerism and its influence on artistic expression.
  • The connection between consumerism and addiction.
  • Consumerism and its impact on privacy in the digital age.
  • The influence of consumerism on personal happiness.
  • Consumerism and its impact on food waste.
  • The role of consumerism in shaping political campaigns.
  • The impact of consumerism on public health.
  • Consumerism and its influence on decision-making.
  • The connection between fashion trends and consumerism.
  • Consumerism and its impact on social media platforms.
  • The influence of consumerism on holiday traditions.
  • Consumerism and its impact on personal well-being.
  • The role of consumerism in the film industry.
  • The impact of consumerism on the music streaming industry.
  • Consumerism and its influence on cultural assimilation.
  • The connection between consumerism and social conformity.
  • Consumerism and its impact on the fast food industry.
  • The influence of consumerism on dietary choices.
  • Consumerism and its impact on the video game industry.
  • The role of consumerism in shaping gender roles.
  • The impact of consumerism on personal relationships with nature.
  • Consumerism and its influence on cultural appropriation in fashion.
  • The connection between consumerism and advertising ethics.
  • Consumerism and its impact on personal well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The influence of consumerism on social media addiction.
  • Consumerism and its impact on mental health during economic downturns.
  • The role of consumerism in shaping beauty standards.
  • The impact of consumerism on personal debt during economic crises.
  • Consumerism and its influence on personal values during times of uncertainty.
  • The connection between consumerism and social media influencers during political campaigns.
  • Consumerism and its impact on personal values during times of social unrest.
  • The influence of consumerism on personal well-being during natural disasters.
  • Consumerism and its role in shaping personal values in multicultural societies.
  • The impact of consumerism on personal debt during college education.
  • Consumerism and its influence on personal well-being during retirement.
  • The connection between consumerism and social media influencers during environmental activism.
  • Consumerism and its impact on personal values during technological advancements.
  • The role of consumerism in shaping dietary choices during health crises.
  • The influence of consumerism on personal well-being during political campaigns.
  • Consumerism and its impact on personal debt during holiday seasons.
  • The connection between consumerism and social media influencers during mental health awareness campaigns.
  • Consumerism and its influence on personal values during cultural festivals.
  • The impact of consumerism on personal well-being during job insecurity.
  • Consumerism and its role in shaping beauty standards during body positivity movements.
  • The influence of consumerism on personal well-being during social isolation.
  • Consumerism and its impact on personal debt during housing market fluctuations.
  • The connection between consumerism and social media influencers during charity campaigns.
  • Consumerism and its influence on personal values during technological dependency.
  • The role of consumerism in shaping dietary choices during food scarcity.
  • The impact of consumerism on personal well-being during natural resource depletion.
  • Consumerism and its influence on personal values during political polarization.
  • The connection between consumerism and social media influencers during wellness trends.
  • Consumerism and its impact on personal debt during economic recessions.
  • The influence of consumerism on personal well-being during social media comparison.
  • Consumerism and its role in shaping beauty standards during aging populations.
  • The impact of consumerism on personal values during technological privacy concerns.
  • The connection between consumerism and social media influencers during educational campaigns.
  • Consumerism and its influence on personal well-being during healthcare disparities.
  • The role of consumerism in shaping dietary choices during climate change.
  • The influence of consumerism on personal well-being during social inequality.
  • Consumerism and its impact on personal debt during global economic crises.

These essay topics provide a wide range of perspectives on consumerism, allowing you to choose an area that aligns with your interests or concerns. Remember to conduct thorough research, provide evidence-based arguments, and present a well-structured essay to effectively convey your ideas. Good luck!

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Consumerism - Essay Examples And Topic Ideas For Free

Consumerism refers to a societal and economic order driven by the acquisition of consumer goods. Essays on consumerism can delve into its historical evolution, its impact on the economy, the environment, and societal values. Furthermore, discussions could explore the psychological aspects of consumerism, the role of advertising and media in promoting consumer culture, and alternative economic models that might challenge or mitigate consumerism. A vast selection of complimentary essay illustrations pertaining to Consumerism you can find at Papersowl. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

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One of the most powerful forces that contribute to the promotion of consumerism is the omnipresent advertising in capitalistic societies. Advertising is an essential component in the marketing strategy of any product, but at the same time, it affects the human mind. Advertisements portray products as necessary objects that are required to keep one’s social identity secure. Thus, they do not represent wants, but instead create a need for luxury goods. Numerous print and TV advertisements persuade potential customers that it is a Gucci bag, a Calvin Klein dress, or a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes that define their personality and character—not the personal traits they possess.

The youth are probably the most vulnerable target of advertisers. Grown-ups can often distinguish between what they need and do not need; however, young people tend to be less capable of critical thinking. Since their world is created by their aspirations to keep up with modern trends and acquire the most up-to-date gadgets, they are easier to manipulate (Schor, 2004, p.11). Quindlen (2008) provides a perfect example of this manipulation. She confesses that television advertising “made [her] want a Chatty Cathy doll so much as a kid that when [she] saw her under the tree [her] head almost exploded” (para. 3).

On the other hand, advertising is not the only phenomena responsible for the increasing numbers of people obsessed with the need to buy new items. Marketers have begun to compare consumers to roaches, “You spray them and spray them and they get immune after a while” (From Consumerism to Personal Bankruptcy, n.d., para. 10) . This refers to how advertisements hardly have an effect on most people anymore. While advertisements are beguiling, if they were that effective, people would be rushing to stores to purchase the advertised products in higher numbers than already present.

Another reason why the idea of permanent acquisition of goods has become dominant in the minds of many people, both adults and adolescents, is the lack of skills necessary to maintain their own resources. Since they did not earn it themselves, the youth are often unaware of the value of money; they demand that their parents satisfy the desires instilled in them by advertising. According to a survey designed to measure children’s knowledge about financial management conducted in the United States by the charity organization Jump$tart Coalition, survey-takers scored an average of 52 percent. This percentage indicates a weak awareness of the usage of money (From Consumerism to Personal Bankruptcy, n.d., para. 16). Even adults would rather spend their disposable income on a new suit or an extravagant holiday than save it. On the other hand, many university and high school students take part-time jobs as graders or professors’ assistants not only to broaden their knowledge, but also to learn to use their hard-earned cash capably. Adults’ earnings have hit an all-time low due to the recession, and many of them are now trying to control their expenditure and pay off their debts. These factors weaken the indirect link between poor financial management and consumerism.

Also worth considering is the yearly reduction in the number of people who want to save their money for the future. If consumers do not save their money, they will obviously use it to buy innumerable useless goods, resulting in consumerism. An article published in the Christian Science Monitor asserts, “Americans’ personal savings fell to -0.5% last year, the first time since the Depression that the savings rate has been negative for a year… it reflects how irresistible consumerism has become in the American psyche” (para. 3).

Another significant factor that plays into consumerism is the way that people’s priorities have recently changed. In the past, consumers were unable to purchase luxuries just because they wanted them. Due to insufficient funds, they had to focus on their needs rather than their wants (From Consumerism to Personal Bankruptcy, n.d., para. 18). Necessity forced them to choose what they needed most; thus, they developed the skills necessary to sort their needs by order of importance. This prevented them from experiencing the additional stress connected with paying off loans and debts. Nowadays, the advent of credit facilities allow consumers to have an almost unlimited possibility for purchasing what they wanted but could not afford. Credit cards allow buyers to have the impression that they have inexhaustible financial resources. The only choice people have to make now is what they want to buy first. This creates the illusion that desirable products are easily accessible; the world is perceived as one gigantic mall. In addition, according to the article “Dhamma in the age of Globalization” (2008), an average modern individual “sees oneself as the center to judge the world, treating others as mere tools to satisfy one’s goals.” This attitude has led to shaping a consumerist attitude towards life with its dire consequences.

The spreading of the consumerist ideology is facilitated by a combination of different factors, among the most significant being an overexposure to advertising, a lack of skills to maintain financial resources, and a global shift in people’s values. Logically, it therefore seems there are at least two ways to prevent, or at least slow down, the further expansion of this thoughtless attitude to life, money, and goods: supplying financial education to explain to various age groups how to plan a budget more effectively—additionally, teaching them to examine the psychological motives of their uncontrolled desire for acquisition, to see what tricks manufacturers and advertisers use to catch their audience’s attention, and to recognize how they also manipulate consumer’s wishes and point of view. The benefits of a critical attitude toward saving more money, therefore reducing stress, should be emphasized. Teaching the youth the value of money, along with the skill to distinguish their needs from their wants, would also contribute to forming a healthy attitude towards goods. A world without consumerism is highly unlikely to occur in the near future, as it is too complex of a issue to eliminate entirely. However, the recession that erupted a few months ago has had a colossal impact on consumer spending. If this trend of reduced spending continues for the next several years, it might reverse consumerism’s materialistic illusion of life.

References:

Quindlen, Anna. (2008). Stuff is Not Salvation. Newsweek.

Schor, Juliet. (2004). Born to Buy: The Commercialized Child and the New Consumer Culture. Scribner.

(2013). From Consumerism to Personal Bankruptcy: Its Causes & Its Consequences. Fong and Partners Inc.

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consumerism essay example

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Market segmentation involves the process of separating the market of prospectus consumers into groups depending on various characteristics.  Market segmentation is distinct, and this paper…

Evaluating Political Terms over Time

America and many parts of the world has experienced numerous changes in political terms and issues over time.  Some of the changes in political terms…

The Economic systems of Japan as compared to that of…

Abstract Japan and USA have a mixed economy, with the free market as the driving element. Japan has witnessed stagnation in its economic growth, while…

Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater) Canvas

Introduction A business model provides alignment of strategies and conceptual strategy execution to business processes. It also provides useful insights about the procedures and techniques…

Participant observation

PART 1 I went to an elegant restaurant which had a modern look and it was tastefully designed. The modern design of the restaurant had…

Trends in health care customer satisfaction

More options and transparency are being provided by legislation to health consumers There is a rise in consumerism in health care that is aimed at…

Business Issue of Ethics

Business entities are continually facing fierce competitions from each other in their attempt to attract and maintain customers, retain their employees as well as increase…

Consequences of Inflation on Development of Argentina

Introduction Argentina is the second largest economy of South America famous for its mineral and agricultural resources. The population of Argentina is highly educated and…

How European Union Market Rules Affect U.S. Firms

Abstract  The study examines the effects of European Union (EU) market rules on the U.S. firms and suggests an approach the U.S. firms can use…

Organizational Preparedness and Challenges

Introduction Taylor Technologies Inc is an American multinational company based in California. We design, manufacture as well as market media and communication devices, consumer electronics…

Legal and Ethical Considerations in Marketing, Product Safety, and Intellectual…

Introduction The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most regulated industries in the entire world since it is entrusted to give health professionals as well…

Importance of Value Proposition

The American Marketing Association defines Marketing as the set of institutional activities that through a process opt to deliver communication through exchanging offerings that ensure…

Education as a process intended to produce a product

This research is interested in the elaborating the uniformity of education system and schooling in such a way that tends to generate financially and socially…

Earned Digital Media

Types of Earned Digital Media Strategy and Objectives Earned digital media strategy is another essential promotional technique for Tellicherry Company. It refers to the users’…

High-Effort Judgement Decision Making Model

The high-effort judgement as a decision-making theory focuses on understanding the consumer decision making processes, especially how they make judgments on consumption and buying behaviour….

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Consumerism Essay Example: What Is So Controversial?

The idea of consumerism is closely tailored to capitalism. Before World War One, consumption was the means of satisfying essential life necessities. However, this new culture replaced usefulness with profit. It has made money and the cult of getting new stuff as the main means of achieving happiness. In the US, thousands of massive multi-story department stores and advertisements make Americans desire more, leaving them dissatisfied.

Students must analyze the issue’s economic and psychological aspects when writing essays on consumerism. Moreover, they must be aware of the pros and cons of mass production and its effects on buyers and the environment. So, data research is critical to support your views with proper arguments.

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  • Economic Inequality
  • Investments
  • Minimum Wage
  • Unemployment
  • 💰 Capitalism
  • 🛒 Consumerism
  • 💱 Macroeconomics
  • 💳 Microeconomics

consumerism essay example

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Consumerism Essay Examples

Food waste: destructive behaviour and problem statement.

Food waste is an urgent world issue that schould be mentioned as many times as possible, so that is why I chose to write a food waste essay in which we will discuss what kind of behaviour leads to food waste. We will conclude with...

The Change in Marketing that Influences Change in Society

The change in consumer behaviour as well as consumption patterns over the years has lead me to realise that most of these changes are influenced by the information that is being fed to us. Access to information is constantly evolving with the innovation in the...

Consumerism is not a Religion

Society has evolved over time to give less power and authority to church figureheads, who at one point held almost absolute political power. Everything from marriages, to scientific research had to be done with the approval from the church. Fast forward a few decades and...

Consumerism and the Respect for Animals

For decades now consumerism has not been a stagnant notion, many trends in the society and human lifestyle have redefined the term. Consumerism has its roots deeply embedded in the innate human behaviour that man has many desires. The industrial revolution in the past centuries...

Into the Wild - Film Review

Today in a world plagued by consumerism and waste, Sean Penn’s ‘Into The Wild’ provides a fresh take on the subject matter, showing the dangers within our society that such exorbitant consumerism can have on the human psyche; it relates to our society now more...

Andy Warhol and Consumerism

Born in 1928, Andy Warhol made a big impact on the art world. In 1949, he graduated from Carnegie Mellon School of Art, where he studied Pictorial Design. By the late 1950s, he was living in New York, working as a highly in demand commercial...

Mindfulness and Consumerism

Mindfulness is a meditative practice which aims to brings one’s attention and awareness to the experience occurring from moment to moment. Though it originates from Buddhist philosophy, it has recently gained in secular popularity due to its therapeutic potential in a number of mental-health problems,...

The Food and Drink Industry Overview: Surrent Changes and Challenges

The food and drink industry in 2018 is constantly evolving to keep up with the trends of super-food, fad diets, instant meals, cleanses, and food apps/programs where food comes to you. With the consumer changing, the industry must adapt as well or risk failing to...

Analysis of How Carol Ann Duffy Examines Western Consumerism and Its Consequences in Her Poems

Throughout the ‘Feminine Gospels’, Duffy forces her female readership to view how they are portrayed in society, and to actively address the misogynistic and baseless assumptions created around them. In ‘The Women Who Shopped’, the persona’s identity is carved through the materialistic goods that she...

Changes in Canadian Society in Roaring Twenties

Did you know that 15 million Ford cars were sold by the end of 1927? The Roaring Twenties was a time where consumerism changed Canadian society in a positive way. One way was the introduction of new products that supported daily living. In addition, mass...

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