Over Consumption in America Essay

exclusively everyplace the past 50 familys, the standard of maintenance for Ameri roll in the hay families has doubled. Most of these families plump in a two-income household in fix up to acquire the money claimed to cognize up to these standards (Pierce). This change has enabled Ameri targets to aver much material possessions and has to a fault caused them to want level off to a gr play outer extent. It is this concept of wanting that is leading to the outgrowth puzzle of on the whole over consumption in America. People ar contributing to the chore by ingest much and acquire much and to a greater extent(prenominal) non-essentials such as TVs, computers, and motorcars.People find themselves wanting to a greater extent and more material things in format to become happy, when in actuality it may be having the reverse effect because it is not manageable to ever obtain everything that he/she wants (Easterbrook 124). By living more just now we fuel become hap pier by disbursement more time with our families and communities and withal by dowery opposites.In the past, TV was thought to be a way to bring the family together. thus far, today, more than three quarters of American families own two or more televisions. Having eightfold sets causes family members to watch different programs, in spot rooms, pulling the family apart as inappropriate to bringing them together. level(p) some children conduct TV sets in their rooms. instead of play outside, kids argon spending hour in front of the television (Winn 465-66)Children are also being touched by other new electronics. High- tech childrens toys are becoming more and more common. quite of playing outside with other kids, children in our society play video games or play on a computer. Even educational toys are being make electronic. Special laptops are being do for children as young as preschool or kindergarten. This is becoming all that children know. Their generation is emerg ence up reliant on computers. In the future they might not cast off a choice to slack and love more just now because the high tech world is all they know (Kalson). some other discharge contributing to the riddle of over consumption is cars. For some slew, owning a car can be necessary. For others, public conveying is an option. Owning one or more cars can also affect the  union by using unnecessary amounts of fuel and by polluting. The car also allows us to live a high-speed life. Americans are unendingly traveling or creaming and are not taking the time to relax as we did in the past. Americas close paced lifestyle is part of the causa we dont spend as much time with our families and friends as in other cultures (Wilson).Americans also contribute to over consumption by the amount of regimen we eat. Obesity is a growing government issue in American society today. twenty percent of children are overweight. If this puzzle persists, the beside generation could be t he first in 200 years to throw off a shorter life expectancy than the last. The greatest issue of this problem is fast food and the portions of it. Instead of eating healthy, home cooked meals, Americans are successor them with fat and calorie loaded fast foods and precooked meals. This problem is leading towards more health problems. 30 percent of boys and 40 percent of girls born in the year 2000 are expected to have diabetes at some point in their life. Americans can fight this problem by difficult to live more like people in other countries by eating healthier foods, smaller portions, and teaching children how to eat right (Mieszkowski).Part of the reason that Americans have such a large use of honorables and services in this problem might perchance be because of advertizing. Because our media is so widely short-circuit and easily accessed, Americans can be more easily persuaded. This issue can also relate back to the problem of watch likewise much TV. Because the Unite d States has no regulations on advertising, anyone can be affected by any amount of advertising. Children, who are more susceptible, can be manipulated into thought process that they need something that they really dont. This problem could possibly solved by constricting the amount of advertising or where advertising is aloud. We can also resist this problem being more aware of it. By judging each ad to listen if it is coercive, deceptive, or manipulative, we can remove the randy appeal of the commercial and make a more rational decision (Hirschberg 61-68).However some people think that over consumption is not the problem(S)quandering money on big screen TVs, McMansions, eatery meals, oversized cars and luxury vacations (are not to blame) for insolvency and all those maxed-out c rednessit cards. Instead (it is) the high court of housing and education (F)ixed expenses that can quick create a sea of red ink when families face layoffs, illness, or divorce. Skyrocketing health -care cost add to the problem (Gardner).If Americans started to live more simply, we could not only gain merriment by relaxing and spending more time with our families, but we could also hurl some of our extra money or belongings to charity. Helping those in need can give us a sense of self worth that could not be obtained by living as we do now. Linda Pierce argues that simplicity determine are consequential to enrich a persons life. She states that Limiting material possessions, Meaningful work weather paid or volunteer, relationships with friends and family, welcome leisure activities, and a connection to community are good values to deform for in order to live simply (Pierce).Over consumption is affection all Americans lives, especially the lives of children, the next generationTV and video games have vanquished running more or less outside. Kids in the city have too few places to play. And (sic) ids in the suburbs have no side flings to walk on, much less places to walk to. Fewer kids walk or remonstrate their bikes to school, either because theres no safe route, or its simply too far. At school, phys ed and breakout have been shortened or eliminated, through and through the double whammy of budget cuts and he renewed emphasis on faculty member testing. And (sic) many schools sells junk food to kids in the cafeteria in attempt to subsidize shrink budgets through soft drink and candy bar revenue (Mieszkowski).The longer this problem goes unsolved, the harder it will be to overcome it. It is important to overcome this problem to gain ecstasy by gaining leisure time and spending more time with their families and communities and also by helping others in need. If we can fulfil this, Americans can stop associating a good life with material possessions but with face-to-face happiness instead.Gardner, Marilyn. Do two incomes imagine deeper debt?. 5 Dec. 2005 http//moneycentral.msn.com/content/CollegeandFamily/P61852.asp.Easterbrook, Gregg. The Pr ogress Paradox. sweet York Random House, 2003.Hirschberg, Stuart. The Rhetoric of Advertising.Kalson, Sally. theater finds toddlers immersed in electronic media. Pittsburgh Post Gazette. 29 Oct. 2003 D1.Mieszkowski, Katharine. Growing Up Too Fat. beauty parlor 4 pp. 5 Dec. 2005 http//www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2005/04/16/kids_obesity/index3.html.Pierce, Linda Breen. The Simplicity Resource Guide. 5 Dec. 2005 http//www.gallagherpress.com/ lunge/overview.htmhttp//www.gallagherpress.com/pierce/overview.htm.Wilson, James Q. Cars and Theirs Enemies.Winn, Marie. Television The Plug-In Drug.