Course Module for EEd II

(Edukayong Pantahanan
at Pangkabuhayan)
First Semester 2021-22

Prepared by:
ALAN L. LUCILO
 Module 4

What is this lesson about?

What is your net worth? Is it even possible for a beggar to have higher net worth than someone
with a sports car? One of the news about pandemic that struck me was about people in Mandaluyong
condominiums asking for relief goods. Don’t they have savings? How much is their net worth?

What will you learn?

At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:

1) Explain what consumerism is;

2) Name the pros and cons of consumerism.

Let’s read!

One thing online shoppers are always looking for are sales. That is why every month, there
is one. Starting with the first month of the year 1-1 in January, followed by 2-2 in February, last
week with 9-9, and the most awaited, the Black Friday of the China and now of the world, the 11-
11.

Consumerism can be defined as an economic and social ideology and order that encourages
consumption or acquisition of goods/services in a never-ending cycle. Consumerism encourages
purchasing and consumption of goods and services in excess of a person’s basic needs.
In economics, the term consumerism is used to refer to economic policies which encourage
consumption. In a consumerist society, people are bombarded by adverts, discounts, product
launches, product giveaways among many other promotions meant to encourage constant and
significant spending on goods and services. Consumerism encourages pursuit for the” good life”. This
may come at the expense of things like saving and investing.

History and rise of consumerism

Consumerism can be traced back to the onset of capitalism in the 16th century in Europe.
Consumerism intensified in the eighteen century because of a growing middle class that embraced
luxury consumption. The eighteen century also saw an increasing interest in fashion rather than
necessity as a determinant for purchasing. The growth of consumerism can also be attributed to
politics and economics. For countries to thrive politically and economically, capitalist competition for
profits and markets had to be at the core of every country’s agenda. Colonialism has also been
attributed as one of the major drivers of consumerism.
Colonialists had to look for markets for their goods by creating demand because there was supply.
The industrial revolution also spurred consumerism as the number of consumer products increased in
the market due to the increasing use of machines. Over many decades, buying goods/services
became a way of life in Britain and many other parts of the world. The consumerist culture continues
today. It encourages spending on consumer items like cars, clothes, shoes, and gadgets
instead of saving and investing. Consumers buy goods and services to keep up with fashion/trends.
The search for better goods is never-ending.
The rise of consumerism today is evident in both developing and developed countries. This can
be seen in the mass production of luxury goods. The media is also saturated with advertisements.

EEd II Week 6 September 13-17

Personal debt levels are also rising globally which is an indication of more people buying goods
excessively on impulse or without proper financial planning. Other evident signs of consumerism
include product innovation.

Benefits of consumerism
1. Economic growth:
Consumerism drives economic growth. When people spend more on goods/services produced in a
never-ending cycle, the economy grows. There is increased production and employment which leads
to more consumption. The living standards of people are also bound to improve because of
consumerism.
2. Boosts innovation and creativity:
Since consumers are actively looking for the next-best products/services to buy,
producers/manufacturers are under constant pressure to innovate. As consumers access better
goods/services, living standards improve.

Cons of consumerism
1. Environmental degradation:
Increasing demand for goods put extensive pressure on natural resources such as water and raw
materials. Consumerism also results in the excessive use of energy. Consumerism also encourages
the use of chemicals which are known to degrade the environment. In a nutshell, consumerism does
more harm than good to the environment.
2. Moral degradation:
Increasing consumerism tends to shift away societies from important values such as integrity. Instead,
there is a strong focus on materialism and competition. People tend to buy goods and services they
don’t need so that they can be at par or at a higher level than everyone else.
3. Higher debt levels:
Consumerism also increases debt levels in a society. The number of people taking short term loans
such as payday loans to buy luxury goods has increased drastically. Many short-term loans aren’t
channeled into constructive use today.
4. Mental health problems:
Consumerism increases debt levels which in turn results in mental health problems like stress and
depression. Trying to follow the latest trends when you have limited resources can be very exhausting
to the mind and body. Consumerism forces people to work harder, borrow more and spend less time
with loved ones. Consumerism gets in the way of fruitful relationships. It affects the overall well-being
of people negatively in the long run since research has proven that people don’t get valuable and long-
lasting fulfilment from materialism.
Summary
Consumerism has a good and bad side. Although consumerism drives economic growth and boosts
innovation, it comes with a fair share of problems ranging from environmental and moral degradation
to higher debt levels and mental health problems. Since we are already in a consumerist society, it is
advisable to strike a healthy balance. A person’s love for the finer things in life should not come at the
expense of his/her mental health and financial stability.
https://swiftmoney.com/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-consumerism/

EEd II Week 6 September 13-17

https://9gag.com/gag/a5WdOMO

EEd II Week 6 September 13-17

Let’s discuss

An EPP teacher needs this fact on the cons of consumerism stored in his core values. The pros
such as innovation and economic growth can take the backseat. When you teach a child how to
sew tear in her dress, you encourage her to value things and not immediately buy a new one.
When they know how to do simple repair, you indirectly help conserve nature and let them enjoy
little successes. When they plant and consume their harvest, that’s a way to boost physical as
well as mental health. In a nutshell, EPP does not promote consumerism but it does more for the
physical, mental, environmental and moral well- being of a person.

How much have you learned?

Make a sarcasm like the one in the picture and title it “Gardening is Bad for the Economy”.
You can work with a groupmate but not more than 3 members. Your finished output should include
an image. If the image came from the internet, acknowledge the source. Submit output in an
image format.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGHnZY5Q8Vw

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/735981/mandaluyong-starts-giving-food-
packs-to-condo-residents/story/

EEd II Week 6 September 13-17