Genius Research Paper

Affirming AffluenzaSince the beginning of the United States, capitalism has been the dominant economic system of the nation. Adam Smith created this economic theory in 1776. He described this system as the, “the invisible hand” that would guide a nation toward progress. His description of capitalism being the most progressive economic system holds true in many aspects, like the rising power of the US in world relations due to the exponential growth of American innovation and business. This growth of business and innovation is a product of capitalism. Americans are pinned against one another forcing them to work harder than any other culture. Using money as the number one reward for their struggle, capitalism succeeds in greatly growing the US’s international power. The great national outcome of increased power due to capitalism is certain; however, many people debate on the social affects of capitalism. Some people believe that it causes Americans to be better workers but another faction of people believe that it does the opposite to people. They believe that it causes a social disease called affluenza. This debate over the affects of capitalism on the American people prompts the question, “Is affluenza real?”

What is Affluenza?As the people against capitalism socially began fighting against the economic system, they coined the word affluenza. The word is a, “portmanteau of affluence and influenza”. They created the word to describe the social attitude of the American society at large. A basic definition of the word and idea is, “a painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety, and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more”. The disease is thought to mostly affect families that make $75,000 to $160,000 each year. Since the word was created its actuality has been highly debated. The intangible factor of the idea forces it to be continuously questioned; however the profound affects the social disease has on the American society proves its existence.

Economic Affects of AffluenzaIn the past decades, “163” trillion dollars have been passed down from one generation to the next. Even as this profound amount of wealth is in circulation among the American people, affluenza is spreading and gaining much support in its validity. More and more Americans are spending cash in superficial and, “ostentatious ways “ in order to convey a feeling of superiority. This idea that “more is never enough” has devastating affects on the American economy. In 2012 the youth of families that make $75,000 to $160,000, spent nearly 153 billion dollars of their parents’ money on new electronic goods. Parents also show the economic affects that affluenza has. Some American parents recently began to continuously lease cars that they cannot afford in order to fulfill their need for more. The extreme amount of wealth spent on unnecessary goods by the younger and older generation is a product of the psychological affects of affluenza.

Psychological Affects of AffluenzaThe economic affects of affluenza are an outcome of the psychological symptoms of the disease. Many Americans in this economic class feel these psychological symptoms.

Adolescents. Children in this economic group often have a, “failure to commit to and achieve their goals”. This inability to decide on a goal and drive to reach it is an affect of affluenza. The children suffering from the disease are often low in self-confidence and high in nervousness and anxiety. These traits of affluenza are products of the pressure to succeed in the high competitive world of the US economy. Another way children are affected through affluenza is in education. Being in a middle or high-class family, the children are often pressured to achieve the highest marks in academics no matter the sacrifice. When teenagers identify success only with academic achievement, they begin to become perfectionists in their education. They replace family time for studying time in order to succeed, often causing severe stress and anxiety.

Adults. Adults that suffer from affluenza are often severely less empathetic than the low economic classes. Michael Kraus, a doctor in psychology, did a study on the basic empathies of different economic classes and found that, “for the lower class to be more empathetic and the upper class to be less”. This symptom is caused because of capitalism. In higher economic classes individuals are viewed solely as threats to one’s economic stability. This results in the lowering of empathy and sympathy of higher classes. Adults’ psychological moral states are also compromised by affluenza. Adults in the range where affluenza is most prominent will feel higher levels of arrogance and jealousy. In a study by UC Berkeley, adults with higher end cars are, “four times less likely to stop and allow pedestrians the right of way”. This offers a great insight into the everyday affects that affluenza has on the middle and high classes. Also, adults that fall into this economic gap are also more likely to become addicted to the actual pursuit of money. Dr. Tian Dayton explains that these adults have, “behavioral addictions” that make them value money over relationships and family bonds. The affects on the psychological state of adults in this economic gap prove that affluenza is a very real and threatening disease.

Legal. In regards to a legal perspective, affluenza is beginning to gain much ground as an actual disease. One year ago, Ethan Couch killed four people while driving drunk. His blatant disregard for the law and safety should have earned him many years in prison; however, this was not his punishment. Ethan received a mere punishment of ten years probation. This sentencing was delivered after his lawyer used affluenza as a defense for the boy. He explained that Ethan was suffering from the disease because of his parents’ lack of discipline and time with him. This defense helped cause him to receive a very minor punishment for the terrible crime he committed. The use of affluenza in this case proves the actuality of the disease.

ConclusionAs the debate over the social affects that capitalism has on American society rages, affluenza must be regarded as a real disease. Its affect on economics and the psychological state of millions proves that it is a true disease. Also, its use in court to prove that Ethan Couch is not at fault for his actions proves of its legitimacy. With the disease being proven, its cure can be discussed. The cure is intangible like the actual disease. People suffering from the disease should first address that they have the social disease and then proceed to devalue money in their lives and value personal relationships over economic progress.