A Pair of Jeans.

People nowadays, not just teenagers, worry about the clothes they wear, the cell-phones they have. New products, brands, and clothes are being developed daily to trick consumers, like me, to buy their products for over-exaggerated prices. Media has a huge impact on this. There are endless advertisements. From the places we go, to T.V, to computers. Companies use these advertisements to lure consumers into buying their product. Teenagers, Children, Adults, all think that by wearing high-branded clothing, or buying the latest electronic, means their above other people. Personally, I think companies advertise their products mainly to teenagers, like myself, because being a teenager is the probably the most difficult stage in life. We try so hard to fit in and to be "cool". We don't need to worry about paying bills, or paying college funds, so we waste our money on over-priced products that are targeted at us.

I am greatly influenced by these products. I see people in school wearing branded jeans, and shirts, and I wish that I could have the same. Instead of saving up to pay for my cell-phone bills, or to pay for my next flute exam, I save up to buy my branded True Religion jeans, a total cost of $250. Just think about it. $250 for a pair of "branded" jeans. Although its common sense to people that these jeans are clearly overpriced, people still buy it to fit in. Just because these pair of jeans has a name to it, people just automatically buy it without thinking about the bigger picture. A pair of True Religion jeans worth $250. People can buy the same coloured jeans for $35, but they dont because it isnt branded. This is how influencial peer pressure is. Media and advertisement has went above and beyond in brainwashing people. Teenagers are clearly the biggest part of "consumer crazy culture". People, especially teenagers, should really smarten up and think about what their buying before they buy it.

Life in a Crazy Consumer World

New products are developed daily to lure unsuspecting shoppers to buy the latest merchandise. Commercials and the media are main factors, which help create the sense that individuals are not good enough and are not valued with the things they already own. They must purchase new goods to fit in with the rest of society. I have played the part as a raging shop-a-holic in our consumer crazy culture. However, a person reminded me: “what is the point in buying items that are not necessities in life”. Looking at the clothes in my closet, I already have what I truly need: a few pairs of jeans, sweaters, t-shirts, scarves, hats and other material things. To buy an item just because it is “popular” is a risk, because spending hundreds of dollars on something that may be put in the storage room, after the trend has faded, is a waste. I am still apart of this culture but how much I influence it, depends on the items. My mother has always bought brand name foods, for one reason: we have tried unknown brands and most of the time they cannot compare to the taste of a well known name. Technology wise, I have had the same, slow, low-memory computer for the past 6 years. Spending time and money to pick out a new computer that will be considered “old” in a year seems like a bad decision to make. When it comes down to fashion, I have the essentials mixed in with high-priced purchases. However, lately I have been trying to ask myself the question if I really need the item that I am buying in a store. Most of the time I get the same answer: no I do not. With this thought in mind I am slowly shrinking the part that I play in this crazy consumer world.

Furthermore, a person can never truly give up their identity but they can change their image and the way others perceive them. No one can totally transform himself or herself to be something that they are not. Currently, based on what is in the news, economic issues have been implanted into my mind. Besides that, school assignments, celebrity news, and thinking about the latest fashion have been in my mental environment. Nevertheless, thinking about the way companies secretly prey on teenagers and decide the way they should look and dress in a certain way is disgusting. Corporations are beginning to take over the position of parents by nurturing these adolescences and forcing them to obey the standards they establish. Teens follow the path they set forth because they are all so used to being told what to do and being dependent on others. Adults on the other hand have walked that same path before and have turned back and started making decisions on their own. Teens cannot become fully independent in the world until they move out of their childhood homes and start making their own choices. Until then they cannot be forced to think for themselves. This is a problem as well as the fact that new products are being designed to become useless as quickly as possible as well as convincing to the buyers whom want to update the items that they already own. Individuals in society do not have to own the most expensive items just to fit in. Just like the famous quote states: “it is what is on the inside that counts”. Becoming an independent fashion leader is better than becoming a follower with the same sense of style as the next girl. Assembling an outfit with pieces from different stores, with price tags that do not make your jaw drop, is more reasonable and can make a person more noticeable in a crowd. I am happy with what I own and I do not need all the material items my friends may have just to feel like I have value. Most advertisements on the T.V. are of electronics and personally I am an anti-technology kind of gal. This crazy consumer culture has developed over the past three decades and if these corporations continue on their journey, the balances in our bank accounts will drop down into the negatives.

Consumer Crazy

The media plays a substantial part in determining how society perceives the word 'cool'. There are endless advertisements for food, clothes, electronics, and the like, and they make it seem as if owning the product will make one's fantasy world complete. By making advertisements attractive enough for consumers to believe the suger-coated lies is exactly what the companies strive to do, and when people fall for the advertisements, the products soon become the latest craze. It will turn into the 'in' thing to have, and to own whatever was advertised is a sign of fitting in and being part of the 'in' crowd. Many advertisements are directed at adolescents, perhaps because they do not understand how to use money wisely enough yet, and peer pressure is extremely influential at their age. When companies realize that teenagers will continually buy products from them, then of course they'll keep making improvements and the next time something new comes out, there will be a continuous stream of consumers, and thus the cycle continues.

I myself own some brand name products, so of course these advertisements have affected me as well. Once more and more people starting buying the same thing, it will be labeled as something worth owning, in order to fit in. This is the case with many teenagers, because competition is always very heated in adolescent years, and teenagers want other peers to admire them, perhaps be jealous of them, for owning something that's brand name or new. However, I don't believe brand name products are the best, or necessary. Having a normal mp3 player or buying clothing that's not from a brand name store doesn't necessarily make anyone inferior to another. I admit that sometimes I am envious of my friends if they have something sleek and cool that I can't have, or a product that's considered the latest 'craze', but I don't tell myself that I must have it, because I'm aware that all this consumer craziness is due to overrated advertisements. Besides, even if I get new products, there will be new and improved ones after that, and the product consumption will just continue. The media and advertising has, without a doubt, brainwashed people into seeing what's 'cool or not'. I think if people can find some individuality and avoid concerning themselves so much over having the latest products from a company, they will be able to feel more satisfied with themselves. Listening to what the media has to say is really a horrible way of suppressing one's own opinions and decisions, because the media and advertising lie to turn things around to make them seem wonderful. The best solution is to listen to yourself, and not what the advertisements have to say for you.

To tackle the main question...

Many people in this consumer crazy society might as well be mindless sheep that get told what to do. Luckily, I'm not one of them (for the most part). Everyday, we do many things and one thing high up on that list is buying products. There are many reasons that drive us to do that. The first being peer pressure or social/cultural standards. Peer pressure is a huge driving factor in making us buy stuff because if we don't have the latest and greatest then we won't be cool. And everybody wants to be cool so companies will try and make the coolest stuff constantly change in order to get people to keep buying their products. If you don't have any new products you just can't fit in, in today's society. Another thing that influences me to buy stuff is advertisements. Advertisements are everywhere nowadays. They take up approximately 8 minutes of every 30 on television and probably more on the radio. Newspapers, billboards, magazines, bus stops, everybody sees these everyday. What is their message? "Buy more" as well as "this is whats in now so throw out those shoes you bought last week". I, personally, largely ignore these ads but I know many people buy stuff based on what they see on television. However, the cause that drives me, personally, to buy stuff the most is that I buy it out of necessity. A lot of people are influenced to buy products is simply because they need stuff to survive. For example, you need to buy rainproof jackets or winter coats and that was the only reason why I bought one. The final thing that makes me want to buy things is their price. If I know something is on sale (99 cent Lays Chips at Shopper's Drug Mart today) then I will buy it, regardless of whether I will ever need it. I know many people are extremely influenced by this powerful impulse buying. I can usually resist but if the burgers are half off then I'm just going to have to stop by. Even as I type this I am playing right into our consumer crazy society by eating Ferrero Rochers, even though I consider myself to be a conservative spender. I guess I'm more of a mindless sheep than I thought I was!

Teens: Save or Spend?

Television, movies, internet, advertisements are different types of media that are affecting our lives dramatically. How is it affecting our lives? All those media companies' objective is to make us buy their things again and again. The target audience of these companies is teenagers. As they say, we are the present and the future of our world. People are hired to create interesting ads on TV to catch our eyes; they want us to spend time to watch their advertisements. They squeeze in these commercials during our favourite TV shows so we will be paying attention to them. They want us to buy certain products so we will be spending, spending, spending money. Companies target teenagers because we are easily tempted to buy plenty of products even we do not need it. We are willing to throw our own identities just to be like everyone else. We are willing to spend all those money on branded clothing such as Aritzia, Lululemon, Banana Republic. These advertisements are made with people in it dressed in a definite way and teenagers are willing to copy what they are wearing. Some people are not able to "fit in" because they are not able to afford these expensive clothing. In our society today, materialistic things are far more important than anything else. Almost all teenagers care about is if they are wearing something that's valuable enough and if they are wearing something that people are also wearing. Teenagers would rather spend all their money on things than saving up for like college because they all want to fit in. These scenarios are what the big companies wanted. This is why they spend all those money on creating and playing those ads on the radio and TV because all they want us to do is to buy, buy things, and buy more things. We, teenagers, are such a big part of the "consumer crazy culture". People buy ipods, iphones, itouch, things that are made now to fulfill our "crazy needs". For example, I am part of this "culture" because I own an ipod, a digital camera, and other high-technology things. I buy things that are very popular now in the markets. I buy things that are in commercials every single day. The media is such an important factor of our consuming ways and they will do anything to make teenagers spend and not save their money.

lets face it!

Juicy Couture? Louis Vuitton? Coach? TNA? Christian Audigier? Ed-hardy? Rock and Republic? Gucci? Why can’t I buy it all? Clearly, it is because I am a normal girl who works at Ricky’s restaurant and get paid eight dollars an hour. Obviously, I cannot afford to buy all these fancy luxurious clothes, bags, jeans, etc from these expensive brands. Casually, I buy stuff that is often over a hundred dollars; however, I do not simply buy it directly without making careful thoughts. I actually work very hard and save up money to get something that I want. Every time I buy something, new products/items are always “up-to-date” which feds me up. It is ridiculous! Fashion is a “must”; therefore, I do own a lot of brands. Indeed, I must admit that I do play the role in the “consumer crazy culture”. Considering all the electronics belonged in my house: modernize. Moreover, the food including my household are often bought in variety of brands because my parents are very strict on good quality including myself. As I observed the television yesterday watching “American Next Top Model”, I discovered many over exaggerated, unrealistic, and nonsense commercials. Though it was presented in an extremely good looking way: colourful, and attractive. After a while, I was very annoyed because it took forever and the predominant materials that are being sold are mainly focused on “the new monthly phone plan” introducing by Rogers, TELUS, and Fido. I believe 20% of the ads are things that I have already own such as hairspray, toothpaste, body lotion, etc. Nevertheless, it is human nature that all individuals have such demanding behaviour and high standard toward materialistic items. Also, the reason is we are all greatly influenced by our peers, and the media.

Advertisers of today have to try harder and harder to get our attention. They have to come up with new and eye-catching ideas that will intrigue consumers. Whom are these commercials really targeting? Teenagers! Why? The reason is we are malleable and unable to think for ourselves. For example, I used to buy clothes that I don’t even like. I only bought it because most of my friends own it, and that getting it was a popular trend. Evidently, advertising plays a major role in today’s society and causes one to think of the effects it plays on our minds especially teens. “Advertisement at its best is making people feel that without the product, you're a loser." Believe it or not, but this is an actual reason why many of us buy unnecessary and useless items that honestly do not benefit or suit them. Personally, when somebody has something that I have, I tend to avoid wearing it because I like to be original, and unique. Also, I do not buy something simply because it is being advertised. I only buy it when it has good quality, great deal, convenient and of course if I adore it. Generally, advertisement has invaded our highways, subways, schools and world. For me, I do not feel that advertising is deceptive. Now rethink is advertising deceptive to you?

The Wonderful Nightmares of Consumers

The average commercial seen on television features catchy music, perhaps a cartoon or interesting skit portraying the product being advertised, and finally, the voice: Buy it today! In stores today! Limited time only!

These three factors alone have "brainwashed" the minds of teenagers into thinking that they MUST buy the latest product in stores, one of those teenagers being me. Indeed, once the knowledge of something "new" is being sold, everyone hits the mall hoping to be the first ones to attain it; then, when I'm the only person who either didn't know about it or doesn't have it, I'm the outcast, and being an outcast because of some brand named clothing or a Wii or anything is quite ridiculous, but also quite influential. I guess you could call it peer pressure, or advertisements doing their job. Because of the intense need to fit into one's environment (especially for kids), companies target teens who are smart enough to understand pressure, but dumb enough to not see how much this "consumer craze" affects them.

Sure, we could simply avoid watching TV or looking through magazines and newspapers to evade the army of advertisements that charge after us - unfortunately, that's easier said than done. When they're not on TV, they're in the palms of people's hands, and then we're the "uncool" ones for not being like everyone else. Although not all my clothing are brand names, and my possessions were not bought yesterday, I do have some electronics and other items that are brand named, so I guess you could add me (and my family) to the list of crazy consumers. Now mentioning food, I've never really paid attention to food commercials, because usually they're just produce, meat, etc. from a grocery store the ad wants TV viewers to shop at, so I started looking out for them. My observations: companies don't use food for bait as much as they do with other items. Why? Probably because food is essential for survival, therefore stores don't have to stress over business since people buy food every day, unlike expensive products that isn't so necessary.

The point in all of this is that consumers need to be more aware of what they purchase, why, and (I know I didn't mention this in any part of my post yet) how the production of what people purchase affected the environment and those who made it.

Yes, we can.

Advertisements and media are responsible for our "consumer crazy culture". Advertisements influence us to do crazy things like buy things we don't actually need. They convince us what we have isn't good enough, cool enough, or new enough. They say what we have is all wrong, but it can be made right if we just buy. Well as Bob Edwards once said, "'They say' is the biggest liar in Canada or any other country". In a "consumer crazy culture" we are wasting away at our planet. We buy things we don't need and throw away things that are perfectly new and in good condition; more trash negatively affects our planet.

I admit that I'm a buyer of brand name materials, but I don't think I'm as bad as others who immediately crave something after seeing an advertisement. Sure I own an iPod, have Breyers ice cream tucked away in my refridgerator, and wear things from Abercrombie and Fitch, but does that mean I'm contributing to our "consumer crazy culture"? Sure it does, we all are. Advertisements aren't the only force that's pushing adolescence to buy more. Even though we might not realize it, our friends are accountable for a big part of our consuming. When we're around our friends we begin to like the same things our friends like, and therefore we buy the same kind of things our friends buy. When our friends are wearing the coolest fashions or sporting the latest accessory we feel the need to buy the same thing. Sometimes I can't buy the same thing everyone else already has. In a way it makes me feel more unique and stronger because I didn't fall for the same stupid materialistic thing all my friends have bought, but then on the other side it's embarrassing to be wearing something out-of-date or using something old. Although it may seem impossible in a world full of shopping maniacs, but fitting in without owning brand name materials is possible. All you need a non-judgemental group of friends who don't care what you wear or buy. Having a unique style can be frowned upon occasionally, but if you make it work you can convince people that your cheap non-brand name style is as cool as their pricy brand name style.

Over the past few days as I look out for advertisements I realized something crazy. We must go through hundreds of advertisements per day. I saw them in magazines, on TV, heard them on the radio, and I even witnessed them at school. Without realizing it we see at least 15% of advertisements at school. The people walking down the hallway have t-shirts saying AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS and jeans with the Rock and Republic sign on the pockets. I see French Connection jackets, True Religion jeans, Nike shoes, sony Ericsson phones, and iPods. Our school is full of free advertising for companies. I understand why companies target teenagers; it's because we don't even realize we're being brainwashed half the time. It's harsh to say, but I do believe we're malleable and unable to think for ourselves. We need to become strong independant people; we wouldn't need all that material junk to make us feel like we belong. Can't we just accept each other for who we are, not what we are? Yes, we can. It all starts here and now. Can we, the youth, buy less materialistic things? Yes, we can. We don't need things, we just want things. From now on I've made a resolution to buy less materialistic things and save for not only myself, but for the environment too. Can we put an end to this materialistic "consumer crazy culture"? Yes, we can.

TIM'S POST

First of all, I would just like to state that I do not play any role at all in the "consumer crazy culture." Everything that I "own" has been bought by either my mother or father; my parents that is. My clothing have all been purchased without my prior consent so it is not my responsibility that they are brand names. Furthermore, all electronics currently in my possession include only the basics and one luxury; a television, a computer, and the very outdated nintendo gamecube, bought when I was in grade 6. However, the food residing in my household include several brand names which I specifically requested my mother to buy. Brands such as Doritos, Lays, Lindor, Twix etc are all very common in my home. The main reason why that is done though, is because I am a glutton who has very specific tastes, not because I want to be "be hip." As I observed the television these 3-4 days as I always do, I found that a lot of commercials do focus on unhealthy foods, perhaps 10-17%, but there are also mountains of advertisements for products such as Xbox, Old Navy, Wal Mart etc. These ads actually annoy quite a bit because they insist on taking about ten minutes away from every half-hour show I'm watching. I often just go do something else such as homework during the commercials. In conclusion, I am definitely not part of any "consumer craze" but I shall answer the other questions in the following paragraph.
Identity is something people have varied opinions on. One side says to always be yourself, the other says group mentality is a very healthy thing, and the other simply looks at one's passport or driver's license. Personally, I will never give up on being myself, a factor that has irritated many people (especially my mother who's yelling at me right now). Although buying brand names can draw criticism from other who don't share the consumer's point of view, I feel it does not erode one's true self. To buy something fancy once in a while such as a Gucci handbag or a Rolex signifies that and individual is treating him/herself well. However, if one spends their entire life chasing after brand names and flaunting them in other's faces then their identity has changed. Changed into an unlikeable shrew who's just begging to be smacked across the face. My second point brings up the companies who try to make us buy their products using advertisements. They think that teenagers are "malleable" and "unable to think for themselves." They are right. Most teenagers do just follow the current trend; they but whatever everybody else is buying. Some of these companies make a fortune off us, but I don't have anything horrible to say about them because big corporations play a key part in our global economy. My mental environment is usually spent pondering over common everyday questions such as: when should I do my homework? What's for dinner? I wonder who that guy from the movie "The Bodyguard" was? Seldom does my mind dwell on advertisements and what I want to buy. The problem of a consumer crazy culture is that if you do not own what everybody else has, then you would feel like an outcast. It first starts out as a simple pang of envy, then before you know it a person is doing terrible things such as stealing simply to "fit in." That is wrong. Furthermore, it creates an unhealthy psychological state of mind. We "must" have so and so in order to be cool. The advertisements we see everyday basically tell us three things. One, you are not pretty enough. Two, you are not good enough. Three, you do not own enough. This composes an unrealistic point of view in which to view life as. One can always "fit in" without owning brand name materials by being nice, helpful, and cheery. It's all in personality and attitude. The question "how do you feel when you cannot buy something everybody else has" does not really apply to me because I don't know what everybody else has. I would just like to finish off by saying I don't really want to buy anything simply because they advertise it, I want to buy it because it will make life more convenient. For example, this Christmas I want another television simply because I am sick of having to fight over the television with my mother. In conclusion, our consumer crazy culture does need some change, but if one is intelligent and able to think for themselves then they should be able to negate the negative effects of advertisements.

Once we start buying, we can't stop..

Colorful, over-exaggerated and catchy advertisements. People would do anything to catch our attention, but who are we? We are consumers. We play an important role in the world of business, the market depends on us to buy their goods. Many of us are not aware as we've fallen right into the hands of the market, we have no control over what we think is a need and want anymore. With all the "trends" established, i don't see us not wanting to buy something.
There is so much that we want, now that i think about it, i've spent more money on clothing and accessories than anything in my life, and because of what? Because i saw someone walking down the street with the newest ipod and branded accessories, and i thought to myself..i want that too. And that is exactly how the market is going to get us, with advertisements. They present us with catchy and unforgettable ads that won't stop bothering us until we decide to go purchase the goods they are selling. They try to persuade us to wear their clothes, convincing us that we could measure up to celebrities if we follow their trend. These ads are everywhere, on the radio, during commercials on television and in magazines. Ads are unavoidable. No matter how we try to get away from them, it always comes back right in our face.
Advertisements are no use if consumers don't respond to them. We, teenagers, play a big role as a consumer. No matter if it's clothing, accessories or food. We are prime targets of the market, because we are mere amateur consumers who are unable to think for ourselves, and loaded with cash given out by our parents. Do we even know the value and the process of receiving money? Do we even think before purchasing something? No, we don't. We are easy targets, quickly deceived by flashy advertisements and what we see people wearing everyday. What do most teenagers consider most important in their lives? I'm guessing popularity and how we present ourselves in our community. Teenagers these days only worry about "fitting in", you won't be "cool" enough if you do not own a branded accessory or clothing. It's not only teenagers but everyone in our society too, we are much more advanced compared to 10 years ago. Many cannot survive without at least a cellphone or computer. But back to teenagers, you are not allowed to be part of the "in" crew without at least measuring up with the increasing and quickly changing fashion trends. The ones that can't catch up fast enough is considered "uncool" and looked down upon. Little did we know, once we start purchasing branded items, we can't stop keeping up and buying more. Trends are like drugs. Once we start buying, we can't stop because we are unaware of the consequences if we stop. Because who knows, if i stop now, will i drop back into the "uncool" group again? What would society think of me?

Hooked on Fashion!

Many people nowadays, especially teenagers are usually buying products that are branded. Big clothing companies and brands such as Aritzia, Off the Wall, Lululemon, Sport Check, Athlete’s World…etc, are all focusing their targets on teenagers. To companies like them, teenagers do not have the ability to think for themselves, therefore making teens to be a perfect consumer and target. The fashion trend is for example, like MacDonald targeting children as their main customers. It is deathly irresistible. With all the advertisements on television, newspapers, magazines and even on the radio! How can the youths not know about it? The advertisements are constantly promoting the new clothing lines and ways influence teens to dress the way they wanted them to. And especially with our new generation now, fashion has become one of the most important factors in our lives and it can’t be ignored.
Being a high school teenager is one of the most difficult and important stages in life. Many youths are constantly worrying about how to “fit in” or what their impressions are at school. Some may feel isolated or looked down upon if they did not dress alike. This is one of the reasons which make teens remarkably vulnerable. It makes teenagers consider what to buy and get hooked onto certain products, depending on the brands or styles they perferr. It may seem fashion has become a bully towards the youths. However, fashion can also be a powerful source of presenting yourself. Although the majority of consumers purchase clothing items to fit in at school, there are also people who wear certain clothes to make a statement or just present themselves as who they are. In Conclusion, the fashion trend indeed is very powerful and influential towards teens in our society and teenagers should be aware of that.