Overspent American, The

Synopsis: Based on Juliet Schor’s book, this video scrutinizes what she calls "the new consumerism"--a national phenomenon of upscale spending that is shaped and reinforced by a commercially-driven media system.

Drawing on her academic research, Schor explains the cultural forces that cause Americans to work longer hours and spend more than they can afford in order to participate in a consumption competition with others. The video illustrates how more and more products are being used as social communicators to demonstrate material success and challenges the inevitability of the consumer lifestyle by proposing alternatives to the work and spend cycle that has so many Americans feeling trapped and unfulfilled. The video draws attention to--and ultimately raises serious questions about--the costs (both financial and societal) of relentlessly searching for happiness and identity through consumption.
Language: English
Country: United States
Year of release: 2003
Year of production: 2003
Subjects: Economics; Sociology
Keywords: consumer behaviour; economic issues; United States of America

Name: Media Education Foundation
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Notes: The MEF produces and distributes documentary films and other educational resources to inspire critical reflection on the social, political and cultural impact of the mass media, particularly in the US, with emphasis on gender, health, politics, race and commercialism. Sale on DVD.

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