Affluence: Benefit or Handicap?

Editors' Comment

Affluenza is the American paradox. Although Americans are twice as rich as they were 30 years ago, there has not been a corresponding increase in levels of happiness and well-being. During the same 30-year period, the divorce rate, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse have increased. The notion of affluenza has been advanced as a possible contributant to this disparity. The term has been coined to describe a condition that occurs when children view acquisition of material goods as a measure of their worth at the expense of more enduring values. Despite its name, affluenza is not confined to high-income families; its effects are widespread. The psychological symptoms of affluenza in developing children are reflected in low self-esteem, a sense of unearned entitlement, need for immediate gratification, and unrealistic expectations as to their role in society. Possessions come to have little value, and children do not have the opportunity to learn self-discipline, how to deal with disappointment, effective problem-solving strategies, and the connection between effort and reward.

In this issue of the NYU Child Study Center Letter we discuss the conditions that give rise to affluenza, such as increasing work demands on parents and cultural demands that emphasize consumerism. Also discussed is the impact of affluenza on children's social/emotional development as well as its impact on family life. Ways in which parents can act to interrupt the cycle and the negative impact of affluenza are presented.

-- HSK/AG

Introduction

Twelve-year-old Ashley explains why she didn't complete her math homework: "My Nanny picked us up from dance class late because she was confused and thought it was karate night. I planned to finish the assignment after we left the mall but by the time we picked up the take out and stopped to get the new Fergie CD, I was too tired. I only had enough energy to IM my four best friends on my new Motorola V3i, because we had to decide which matching Manolos and Sevens to wear today. Of course I had to watch MTV Laguna Beach on my plasma screen because I TiVo'd it last week. I barely had enough time to check My Space before I fell asleep!"

Many American children have expensive video games, top-of-the-line electronics, and high priced sneakers, and requests for the newest and the best are ongoing. Everyday children are influenced to buy more, spend more, and have more. As parents work hard to earn a good living, they find it rewarding to provide their children with many indulgences. Although Americans are twice as rich as they were 30 years ago, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse among children and adolescents have increased 100 to 200%. There seems to be a disconnect between the acquisition of material goods and level of well-being. Are we jeopardizing our kids and contributing to the family dysfunction called affluenza?

What is affluenza?

Affluenza is the term used to explain the unique problems and dysfunction that occur when individuals are in pursuit of money, wealth, and material possession at the expense of other sources of self-esteem and contentment. The term affluenza erroneously suggests an ailment of the wealthy, but in fact affluenza is a "disorder" among parents and children across all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

Affluenza has reached epidemic proportions and has produced numerous symptoms detrimental to our children's social and emotional development. Contemporary affluenza researchers contend that if we do not begin to reject our culture's incessant demands to work harder, spend more, and buy more, our society will begin to pay later with significant effects thrust upon our offspring. The emphasis on acquisition of material goods can result in the following: