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Unit1: Consumerism
Hannah Aisya Binti Mohamad
Professor Tamara Schiesser
English 101c
2 September 2018
Ways of seeing consumerism being excessive
In 1930, it was common for an American woman to own
less than ten clothes in their closet. Nowadays, an average
American woman holds 30 outfits, accommodating each
day of the month. It can be said that this show signs of
excessive consumerism. Consumerism defined as “human’s
desire to own and purchase products and goods more than
one’s basic needs” (Baker, “The Good and Bad Sides of
Consumerism”). Having more than what is needed is
undeniably a trait of excessive consumerism. Hence,
excessive consumerism can be seen through an obsession
with material things, advertising and credit problems.
Firstly, people’s obsession with material things is one of
the signs of excessive consumerism. It somehow became a
norm in society to purchase goods as if to keep up with
trends. Although not all of them, there are a significant
number of people who believe that they have an image to
uphold, for instance, in social media such as Instagram. For
example, people who love makeup and testing new
products in the market. There is no doubt that they have
tons of makeup in their possession. Every time new
products enter the market especially those with good
reviews and more attractive collection, they would be
tempted to buy them although they already have the same
type of product but an older collection. Thus, it shows that
one’s obsession with material things can create a pathway
to excessive consumerism.
Secondly, advertising also shows excessive consumerism.
The function of advertising is to stimulate consumers’
interest in buying the products or services. Most of the
time, advertisements suggest that the products or services
will ease them in performing activities and bring more
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enjoyment to consumers. On its purchase and use, they fell

cheated as they realize that it was misleading and only an
influence on the mind. For instance, baby formula, many
similar products are advertised dramatically with different
recipes and nutrition which can confuse and overwhelms
consumers to buy more, different than the one they have at
home. Hence, advertising is a kind of marketing that
manipulates people into doing excessive consumerism.
Consumerism can also be seen as excessive when one is
having credit problems. Not everyone uses their credit card
to purchase goods and services, but to those who do, they
need to know how to handle it well. It becomes dangerous
when one thinks that they can buy goods using their credit
card and then pay later at the end of the month.
Consequently, this drives their desire to consume more and
more or in other words, buying recklessly and excessively.
For instance, using credit cards in buying products online
on Amazon or eBay. The act of buying products with only
one click may not be as easy as most people think such
when they are unable to pay back to their bank. Hence,
consumerism can be seen as excessive when people cannot
pay their debt to the bank.
In conclusion, consumerism becomes excessive when one’s
wants and needs for goods and services exceeds the
necessary line. Obsession on material things allows us to
make excessive consumption which begin appears as usual
for other people. Advertisements subtly create feelings of
wanting around products and services. Credit cards allow
us to make purchases beyond our income-level. Therefore,
it is essential to understand that consumerism is necessary,
but excessive consumerism is not.