Study by Institute for Family Studies showing that teen girls now say "having lots of money" at the same rate as boys. The rate rose sharply for both in few years and previously there was a gender gap for this question
My personal theory is that this isn't only kids engaging with materialist culture on Instagram but also a cultural shift in answering this question honestly, as there was a cultural taboo about it in previous generations. It's both.
I'm sure you're partially correct but also this is what you'd expect in an inflationary environment. Kids notice that their parents are struggling financially.
Yep, when you are thirsty all you can think about is water....
That was my first thought too. The recent past is teaching people that no amount of money feels secure, unless you have a crap ton of it
There's no doubt that girls are more materialistic these days.
Materialism is not the same as having "lots of money". I feel like if it's materialism then they want money to sustain a modern influencer version of keeping up with the Jones's.
So you'd say someone who's extremely focused on making money but then only saves/invests it without spending much he woudn't be materialistic?
I mean, there are levels to it right? We are all materialistic to some extent. Look at the stuff you don't use in your house. And it's probably been like that since after WWll. I'm more suggesting that social media might have turbocharged the envy that watching influencers creates, especially in young girls.
I'd like to see the questions asked in the survey to see if this is more of a tangent.
I agree with this. One might want lots of money as a source of security or a source of power. I associate materialism as wanting lots of stuff, which I think is perhaps not as prevalent as it was in the '80s and '90s. (Although...thinking about amazon and how much people order perhaps I am very wrong).
Oh I think materialism is alive and well!! I think it’s the worst it has been
They don't want to be like their parents, who are going to die in debt doing things they hate. But the trap lies in wanting currency instead of money.
Materialism is more about things than money. Having lots of money though would be great because you could definitely eat AND pay the rent.
I know a young woman who buys lots of dresses. At first glance, it screams materialism. On further questioning, she buys clothes she knows will hold their value so she can sell them later if times are tough. She's doing what I do with collectibles, ammo, and other hard assets.
You know what's also surging among women. Vanity. And societal positive reinforcement of said vanity.
this you?
you got me
Social media has made "keeping up with the Jones" international and not just local (neighborhood based). While I agree that having a lot of money and having lots of things are not exactly the same, it's closely linked, and most want lots of money so they can get lots of things. Minding your own business pays you.
Yeah