The American Dream and Influencer Culture
Peer Pressure. Social Status. Competition and the Jones’s.
Never in a million years did I think that I would I be sitting here right now writing about this subject, but it is a taboo subject, and it needs to be talked about. Vulnerability is a part of my personality, its who I am, and it comes natural to me. I am immensely proud of that. So, let us get talking! Let us talk about the following and how they tie together.
What is Peer Pressure? Peer pressure is the direct influence on people by peers, or the effect on an individual who is encouraged and wants to follow their peers by changing their attitudes, values or behaviors to conform to those of the influencing group or individual. For the individual, this can result in either a positive or negative effect, or both.
What is Social Status? Social status is the level of social value a person is considered to hold. More specifically, it refers to the relative level of respect, honor, assumed competence, and deference accorded to people, groups, and organizations in a society. Status is based in widely shared beliefs about who members of a society think holds comparatively more or less social value, in other words, who they believe is better in term.
What is Financial Debt? Debt is an obligation that requires one party, the debtor, to pay money or other agreed-upon value to another party, the creditor. Debt is a deferred payment, or series of payments, which differentiates it from an immediate purchase.
And how does Peer Pressure, Social Status and Financial Debt tie together? Let us talk about this!
Peer pressure is the influence on people by peers and as adults and we are influenced by those around us. Social Media and Instagram are two different yet similar platforms that has made it easier for those around us to try to prove to those around them that they have become something, that they have made it. Sadly, this influencer “state of mind” is putting more and more pressure on those around us. The job of an influencer is to promote products and goods to their following and the more that something is broadcasted and flashed in front of us, the more desirable it becomes. When we are drawn to something, we eventually want it. Whether you think you need it is the conflicted argument that you will need to have with yourself but at that moment in time you know you do not physically, mentally and emotionally need it but because it is commercialized like a beautiful, studded diamond ring, it becomes desirable.
The pressure that we feel to want these goods and/or services is a feeling of intensity. We want what everyone else has because when we finally grab hold of what someone else has it makes us feel equal and by feeling equal, we no longer feel less than which can then mask our feelings of insecurity, low self-esteem, low worth and so forth. The psychology behind materialism will only shelter these issues for so long until the feeling of satisfaction wears off. Once that feeling of satisfaction wears off, we than buy something else that is desirable to us. Until we grab hold and take the control it will be a never-ending cycle especially with the rise of influencers trying to sell you products. The problem with this is that the more something is being flashed in front of you the more you are going to justify needing it. This in turn can lead to a financial catastrophe. Financial debt is real. When we are not budgeting for things outside of what we budget for and know we can afford, we use cash or cards on hand. This is where it gets sticky. Credit cards are the closest thing to most of our fingertips and by using a credit card we do not feel the brunt of the hit as hard. This is where the problem arises. The constant pressure to keep up with your friends, family, colleagues etc. can turn your world into a whirlwind. The pressures and desires to want what everyone else has and/or is doing or buying is not going to lead you toward living the American Dream. By understanding the psychology behind why people buy things they do not need to impress those they do not even like or care for will always keep you below. You will never stand above those living this never-ending cycle. Social Status or Social Class is a never-ending cycle, and you will continue to be the rat in the rat race. Do not be that rat. Avoid the pressures and the need to keep up with the Jones’s. The pressures are real, social status will keep you in the wheel circling for happiness in undesirable places and keep you in debt.
“Influencer Culture takes some of the worst parts of modern life: the importance of modern beauty, competition, consumerism and monetizes them.” -Mary Imgrund
So, in conclusion, Stop buying things you do not need to impress others unless you want to stay in the rat race!
