How Does Commercialism Violate The American Dream

Commercialism Deteriorates The American Dream
Nothing says winter quite like a bare-chested male model wearing merely a decorative scarf for perfect protection of the Adam's apple. Is it just me or does the image of a half naked male model decked out in nothing but a wool scarf in the dead of winter seem to somehow defeat the purpose of a clothing advertisement? Abercrombie & Fitch offers these mindless money-making schemes constantly. They have experienced public defame in the media for years over their advertisements that are practically child pornography. However, the truth is that sex sells and nothing is going to censor their method of sales, even if it negatively affects company image. These are the images seeping into America's young people. Abercrombie & Fitch, though intended to appeal to college aged consumers, is strongly attracting teenagers at a rapidly growing pace. This particular advertisement and millions of others just like it are filling America's young people with many false promises of a more desirable life. The results of this excessively materialistic behavior are broad and extremely detrimental to this entire nation's outlook on
These forces are crowding out a more meaningful set of values centered on family, responsibility, and community. People do not need to repudiate material gain, but it is important to have a greater sense of balance in their lives. There is reason for deep concern about America's future. The American Dream is increasingly defined by purchasing, material gain, and by "keeping up with the Joneses" rather than by a sense of opportunity. This behavior is unhealthy and can turn destructive. The children absorb the lessons of their consumer culture and already many feel that the youth are too focused on buying and consuming