Affluenza in the Developed World. An Unhealthy Fascination with Wealth

Essay from the year 2018 in the subject Sociology - Social System, Social Structure, Class, Social Stratification, grade: 1,0, University of Ljubljana, language: English, abstract: The western world has always been fascinated with the lifestyle of the wealthy. Affluenza in simple words can be defined as the painful, contagious and socially transmitted need to purchase more in order to gain status and happiness. It describes the extreme materialism and consumerism associated with the pursuit of wealth and success, often resulting in a life of chronic dissatisfaction, debt, overwork, stress and impaired relationships. It has also been used to refer to an inability to understand the consequences of one's actions because of financial privilege. The term was invented by critics of consumerism in the United States of America, derived from the words 'influenza' and 'affluence'.