Summary Of The Way We Never Were By Stephanie Coontz

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Recommended: Consumerism in America

In chapter seven of The Way We Never Were, Stephanie Coontz focuses on consumerism and materialism. In this chapter, Coontz claims that the root causes of consumerism is affecting Americans in a contemporary society is the mindset of people having an addiction to having the latest and greatest in terms of any goods. Coontz argues that “consumerism and materialism affect working adults and non working ones, both sexes and all ages, people who endorse new roles for women and people who oppose them” (page 223). In our society people buy what they want rather than what they need. Coontz argues that consumerism is essential for the U.S economy. The act of purchasing and selling goods transforms the american society. This relates to our in class

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