In recent years, more and more people have begun to believe that America is transforming into a materialistic society. This is actually true because as the years go by, we Americans become more and more materialistic. We buy things we “want” but don’t necessarily “need.” It seems like we're starting to care more and more about trends and what's "new" or "popular." Many people say that Americans are just too materialistic. Even if this is true, such a statement is actually too simplistic. Many factors cause Americans to be so materialistic. An example can be found in the media. With the influence of social media, we have created these social classes in which we place others and ourselves, such as rich and poor, or pretty and ugly. Most of the time, we determine who falls into each of these “classes” based on what they have and what they look like. If they are good looking or own an immense amount of expensive “stuff” like cars, jewelry, or suits and dresses, we consider that individual to be rich. And if a person does not have these things, they are considered poor or without privilege. So we are starting this competition to see who has the most “stuff”. In her essay, Shopping and Other Spiritual Adventures in America Today, Phyllis Rose discusses how many people think shopping is a form of therapy and that she doesn't think it's really necessary to buy another sweater. She believes that “you need the power of buying it or not buying it.” How often does an individual want to buy something for the sole purpose of showing it off to friends and family or to receive compliments from strangers on the street? As humans, we “want” and “need” attention, even if we have to do it... middle of paper... distressing and painful. Although it is unfortunate that we spend our money so carelessly and stupidly. it seems like nothing can stop this. As long as critics and the media force these new products on us by telling us that we “have” to buy them because the product is “new” or “popular,” we will not be able to escape our materialistic society. The American dream has become something much more different than expected. Americans aren't just too materialistic. It's much more complicated than that. Our materialism comes from the influence of society and its social classes as well as the people and critics who focus so much on these chain stores. Or the fact that people feel like they have to buy these things to feel better or to show off to other friends as if they're in a competition to see who has the "most useless thing" ».”.