Americans are very focused on other’s outward appearance. It is believed that one can tell a lot about a person from their possessions. Americans spend millions on expensive cars, high-end clothing, and fancy houses. Furthermore, popular magazines such as Star and OK make readers think that the key to happiness is being rich and famous. It is thought that owning a Louis Vuitton or Gucci purse can make anyone happy.
While Americans are not the only people who aspire for wealth, it is a huge part of American culture in particular. Money is associated with power, so people believe that money can improve their life. It is also common to judge people based on their economic status. For instance, some people assume that someone who is not extremely wealthy is uneducated or lazy.
Contentment is not obtained by purchasing material items. This myth serves only to place affluent celebrities on a pedestal. Moreover, to encourage people to work hard so that they too can live this coveted luxurious lifestyle. Television shows such as My Super Sweet Sixteen, which is aired on MTV, only feed into this erroneous idea. It depicts young teenagers whose wealthy parents can provide for them an array of pricey presents and posh parties. This makes middle class teenagers feel resentful that they do not live a life of privilege. Television shows and magazines are only two among the countless number of things in American culture that make people falsely believe a lavish lifestyle is the key to happiness.
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