Rethinking Consumerism

The quest for instant gratification and contentment leads one down the path of Incessant Consumerism. An Incessant Consumer is the one who much like a black hole absorbs everything and goes to a point of no return. Replace the absorption with consumption and we have the Incessant Consumer - who is capable of going to a point of no return by spending away money on things that simply give them validation. 

Baby Boomers (the generation that is now between the age groups 55-75) are said to be the biggest consumers of the world.This demographic group was marketed to by all the major companies of the world to blur the lines between wants and needs,the result of which is that now everything we desire for can be bought and even personalized to get our happy hormones released. 

Consumerism affects the various groups in widely different manners, however the one that stands out is for the Gen Z (aged 11-26), - It curbs creativity, critical thinking and ceases to inspire the role of a producer (or a manufacturer or a creator). It rather fuels the behavior to 

continue being a consumer. Aspirations of children to become Content Creators and the Hustle Culture is all the proof we need to conclude that most people are looking for easy ways to make a quick buck and putting in continuous efforts to achieve something is looked down upon. 

As a parent looking for guidance to keep your children safe from this incessant consumer behavior it's important to sometimes look within. It goes without saying that one needs to question if they or anyone in the family is exhibiting this behavior that the children are mimicking, but it doesn’t end there. We need more than just keeping track of our impulsive buys, we need a plan and we need structure. 

Structure in a child's life can play a role in mitigating the influence of consumerism in several ways. A few of the examples are mentioned in the below image.

While structure is beneficial, it's important to complement it with open communication about consumerism, media literacy education, and discussions about values. Parental guidance, combined with a structured environment, can contribute to raising children who are less susceptible to the pressures of consumerism. 

Structure in a child’s life is also important for many other reasons. Kids feel safer because they know what to expect. Parents feel confident because they know how to respond. Routines, schedules and rules help structure the home and make life more predictable. As life becomes more predictable, children crave for something new and that ignites creativity in them. Further, with structure comes Time Management Skills that help children break down bigger goals into smaller achievable ones. It promotes Consistency, Persistence and Discipline that can in turn keep them from being distracted by the Consumer Driven World. 

In their Best Selling book - The Whole-Brain Child, Dr. Daniel J. Siegel and Dr. Tina Payne Bryson explore strategies for nurturing a child's developing brain by integrating neuroscience and practical parenting approaches. They emphasize the importance of establishing routines and predictable environments for supporting a child's sense of security and stability.This in turn helps children develop problem-solving skills and navigate conflicts in a healthy way. 

A holistic way to include structure in a child’s life is to integrate it in a manner that doesn’t curb their independence. Here are some tips on how to do it:

Establish a Routine: Set regular mealtimes, bedtime, and wake-up schedules. Create a routine for morning and evening activities, like brushing teeth, getting dressed, or reading before bedtime. 

Consistent Rules: Clearly communicate rules and expectations and be consistent in enforcing rules to provide a sense of predictability. 

Balance Structure with Flexibility: Allow for flexibility within the routine to accommodate unexpected events or changes and talk to your child about the importance of structure and how it helps create a sense of security. 

Encourage Responsibility: Assign age-appropriate responsibilities to foster a sense of accountability and incorporate quality time for bonding and connection within the routine. 

Gradual Independence: Allow the child to make choices within a structured framework, promoting a sense of independence. 

The key however is to have an open communication with your children about the structure’s importance and tweak it from time to time, according to their needs and requirements. 

ParentVerse helps create the schedules and timesheets based on these very principles. We believe that in your endeavor to bring the much needed structure to your family’s day, week, month or year, we can prove to be reliable partners, who not only assist you in creating customizable tasks according to your family’s needs, but also allow you to reward and appreciate your children upon successful completion of the task. 

We believe in Positive Reinforcement and Fostering Contentment, not Incessant Consumerism. We hope that you do too!

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