Why do teens care so much about material possessions?

I am 27, married and a homeowner.





I cannot understand for the life of me why teenagers think that their possessions mean so much. Possessions that they usually obtain using mommy and daddy's money I might add. Are we teaching our children that what you own and what you wear make you a wonderful, better person? Are we showing them that if you can't afford these things that you are not as intelligent or attractive?





Why should teens be ashamed at shopping for clothes at stores like Target or TJMaxx? And why should other teens pick on them because they're not wearing labels from Ambercrombie or Urban Outfitters? When I was a kid you wore what mom and dad could afford and you dealt with it. Some parents spend money they don't even have to keep their children in nicer brands of clothing instead of using it for things they really need.





Is it just me confused and appalled by this epidemic of kids who cherish money and fancy clothes more than good friends and family love?

Why do teens care so much about material possessions?
Part of it is how you raise them, part of it is human nature.





A lot of things that make children this way adults do without realizing it....When children hear their parents bragging about their material possessions ("we just bought the coolest tv", "our house is so much bigger than ___'s house", etc) this teaches them that He/She With The Most Toys Wins....even mommy and daddy think so! Why would they not want to "win"?





When children hear their parents focused on looks ("look at that lady's hair! how wierd!", or "wow, she shouldn't have worn THAT", or "I feel so fat today") they learn that they should expect others to judge them by their external appearance, which not only makes them more self conscious but then effects what they want to wear (their possessions) because they have learned that how you look effects how other people judge you.





These parents aren't bad people-they are just giving in and allowing themselves to judge themselves and others by external appearance and possessions. It's a part of human nature. Even you added, at the beginning of your post, that you were a home owner. That is not relevant at ALL to this question, yet you added it because you felt it would change how people percieve you. That is just one example of how human it is to be materialistic....and how easy it is to pass that on to your children.





It takes a lot of focus and a lot of energy to show your children a good example of non-materialistic views. No one is ever perfect at it, but it's definately worth trying since-as you say-it really is appaling to think that *anyone* (kids or adults) cherish money and clothes more than family, friends, and love.
Reply:It's because of our capitalistic society and parents are emphasizing getting good school to make good money more than trying to teach their children to be good people and help others.





Everything is money, money, money. On music and TV and bilboards. we spend more money MAKING money than actually EARNING money in this stupid country.





That is why our country is in debt by 9 trillion dollars. Everybody says "gimmie!"
Reply:Because their parents don't teach them right-my teens lovwe things too-but I've made them earn the money and/or consider their purchases. Donate, volunteer-and yes! Work in the house and yard! I'm such a horrible parent! HA!
Reply:Teens care about material possessions because they live in a materialistic culture.





I, too, am appalled, but not just by the kids.
Reply:grown ups do too. any new gadget that comes out my husband wants it.d





i have my things that i love too like jewlery, pocketbooks and shoes. i am not obsessive about getting new things. i just like to enjoy some things.
Reply:Im a teenager and I say its kinda sad but in this type of socity that we live in and we see all these kids with these brand names clothes and then we think that we need to have it, But far as school wise its hard beening a child going 2 school gettin teased because you dont look like eveybody else and sometimes that can take effect in a kid mind and thats why they be commting Suicide or fightinfg other kids.
Reply:Everyone is just concerned with what other people think of them. It does make me sad that so many people place so much on material things. I see so many people drive around in cars i KNOW they cant afford. It's almost the same as the young girls wearing pounds of makeup and prancing around the malls in skimpy clothes. Kids follow in thier parents footsteps, and unfortunately, a lot of parents don't set a good example.
Reply:cuz theyre teenagers.
Reply:They are influenced by commercials and peers. It's sad, but that's how the world is.
Reply:This is caused from the decay of our country and what we have all put our values on. The kids see and and react. They watch TV which have ads and they have some parents that feel the same so they adopt that same kind of materialism. The media is a big cause of this epidemic. It's not fair to kids that their parents can not afford things which causes problems in the schools. If the schools would go to uniforms all of them then possibly some of this would end. I am sure all of it wouldn't but it would help.
Reply:I don't think this only applies to teens. Ive met many adults who have also taken on this thought process. Maybe if more people did cherish good friends and family then we would have a lot less crime, divorce and abuse
Reply:most adults where I have lived, on the east coast, care so much about material possessions as well, and judge others by what they have.
Reply:I am also 27 years old and I must admit that teenagers these days are way into material possesions. They also do not know the meaning of hard work. When I was 16 I started at McDonald's and worked my butt off for 4.20 per hour. I did not want my parents to buy me things. I worked for my cd player and clothes. Since my parents were not well off I took it upon myself to better my life. And I did, now I make a lot more and I have material possesions, but I feel good because I worked hard for them. Parents these days do not teach their kids that material possesions are not important. You are who you are and you do not have to join the fad of wearing expensive things because everyone else is. I remember in 1990 everyone I knew was buying 100 pairs of jeans and the new air jordans for over a 100 dollars. I never had a desire for such expensive tastes back then, I just made do with shoes from Payless and clothes from Target. You know I didn't get my first CD player until 1994. Everone else got them in 1991. But parents need to teach their kids more about love and self respect instead of materialism. And If their friends don't want to be friends with them because they aren't wearing the latest clothes, then I guess they really aren't friends.
Reply:I wasn't that kind of teenager when I was a teen. There was one favourite store that I absolutley loved and still do, only when I can afford it is Le Chateau. I paid clothes with my own money when I was working. I didn't depend on my foster mom to buy me clothes when I was 16 and up. I bought them myself, what I wanted. Most of the time it wasn't top brand names. I never shopped at Gap, or Tommy, or places like that. They are well overpriced. I looked for sales. I used to shop at Zellers sometimes, for my son. I shop at consignment stores or thrift stores for my son and myself. I go to Clothing exchanges. You can Always find brand name stuff there...





My foster mom had 2 other kids, besides me. She was a single mom as well for awhile then she got married. So the budget was tight. We always went to sales or us kids worked and bought our own things and went to thrift stores like Value Village or Salvation Army or Consignment stores. I bought a pair of Doc Martins for $10 at a consignment store and they were practically brand new. I had them for a long time. I don't understand why parents spend money they don't have, instead of the money going to food or healthcare or education or mortgage/rent. Some parents have a really bad budget plan maybe? I am very careful with my money.