Culture of Consumption

Abstract

We live in a society and culture of consumption. What are the characteristics of this culture? What has contributed to its formation? In what way does it influence people? These are the main questions tried to be answered in the article Culture of consumption.

The culture of consumption is the culture of ordinariness. It lures and attracts crowds in many ways. It is light, simple, pleasant and a little bit infantile. It does not demand any effort, absorbtion or preparation. The aim of the culture of consumption is buying, using and dispensing goods that satiate people’s wishes. The culture of consumption advocates material and hedonistic values.

The culture of ordinariness is subject to the rule of the market. It is not the producer who imposes products but the consumer who decides through his individual choices, on the producer’s success.

Such culture creates changes in social life. Social inequalities and identity problems occur. An individual is alone in its consumption and is deprived of durable social bond. Consumption determines the place in a social structure, it defines group identities and it creates the sense of self value. The culture of consumption forms a man and a man expresses his needs and wishes in this culture.