by Sandy Winn

Created on: June 05, 2008   Last Updated: November 05, 2010

Consumerism in children the fault of parents? Get out of here. Why, just yesterday on the news there was a story about a twelve year-old driving a Hummer to the mall with a ten and seven year-old in tow. Its true! The twelve year-old has a job, a license, a few credit cards, and all other things necessary to be an independent consumer-Oh, sorry, that was a bizarre dream. Now for a look into reality...

Swimming deeper and deeper into an infinite pool of consumer debt are American adults. How can people teach their own children to be financially responsible when the spending habits of their parents are contrary to what is being taught? The folks children should be looking up to when it comes to learning how to be financially wise, their parents, are falling short of being ideal role models. The comedic genius, George Carlin, could not have said it better, " That's all your house is, a place to keep stuff while you go out and get more stuff." Looking around the homes in our country, surely we can see some truth in Mr. Carlin's statement. Blame advertisers, television shows and movies, and friends of children, but the brunt of the blame ultimately lies on the shoulders of the parents and their never-ending quest to have more "stuff."

The reason we see consumerism in children is because their parents are the main consumers of unnecessary, but much sought after belongings. It is not uncommon for a person who as a television, or other electronic goody, that works perfectly well, to run to the mall and buy the latest and greatest television set. After all, there was nothing like watching a movie on the big screen, high definition, surround-sound television at the Greens the other night. Some may feel ashamed of inviting another person into their home when they do not have such an awe inspiring setup and feel the need to run out and acquire the same-on a credit card. Credit cards are great for times of emergency but to use them solely for obtaining more "stuff" is not responsible and especially if one cannot pay it off within a reasonable amount of time. Numerous parents will spend money they don't have, to get what they don't need, just to impress others. More often than not, this a result of how people have allowed society to make them feel, "I am not of value, unless I have what others have." It should not be surprising that children, of parents who have succumbed to societal pressure, exhibit the same behavior.

"Mom and Dad, can I please have a new cellphone? Mine

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