American Dream Becoming Too Materialistic Analysis

In modern society we believe that material goods will provide us with long-term happiness and a good life, however, when we reflect on what is really happening, material goods will always leave you searching for more. Material items are not the only thing that people rely on for happiness; people also can rely on unhealthy relationships where one person is solely reliant on his or her significant other, and use them as a crutch to give themselves happiness and to give them a purpose in life. According to Shanzeh Khurram, in her article, “Is the American Dream Becoming Too Materialistic”, she states that, “Shopping is not a problem on its own; it’s the obsessive accumulation of unnecessary products, along with the hope of buying a Chanel bag
According to MD. Sidney Cobb’s study, “Social Support as a Moderator of Life Stress”, social support is defined as information leading the subject to believe that he is cared for and loved, esteemed, and a member of a network of mutual obligations.” With a strong social network you will always have someone to turn to when you are in need. Cobb’s study suggests that happiness and love received by a large network of people is what will fill the feelings of loneliness and emptiness. What is the point of life if you don’t have anyone to share it with? Having family and friends that you know you can turn to regardless of the issue is crucial. A network of people you can rely on is important because relying on a single person to make you happy is extremely unhealthy. Like Ben did with Amore, if you only have one person to make you happy, the relationship will most likely turn abusive, with one individual having all the power and controlling the other. The person who holds the majority of the power is using his or her significant other to make them happy, but their significant other feels trapped and controlled. The Ben in this relationship is controlling the other because he is afraid that if he lets go even the least bit that Amore will run for the hills. Studies have proved that Ben does love Amore, but he is very codependent on her, and is attempting
In order to be happy permanently one must have a strong social network of loving relationships and have a purpose to his or her life, something to live for. In Michael J. Sandel’s book, Justice, he tells how in Plato’s Republic, Socrates compares regular citizens to people imprisoned in a cave. The people only see the shadows on a wall, but never the sun. Socrates can escape the cave to see the sun and Earth as it exists in reality. What Sandel is saying matters because people in the cave are similar to those who fill themselves with temporary happiness and always long for more. Hopefully one day the cave dwellers will discover the permanent warmth of the sun instead of watching from