Teens and Materialism: What Can Parents Do?

By Carol Church, Writer, Family Album
Reviewed by Larry Forthun, PhD, Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, University of Florida

Does your teen nag you for clothes from the “right” stores or the newest, most expensive cell phone? To some extent, we expect this in the adolescent years. Peer pressure is intense, and marketers target this age group.

However, materialism can be a destructive force as adolescents mature into adulthood. It may lead to poor financial decisions, and even negatively affect relationships.

A recent study in the Journal of Family and Economic Issues explored the issue of materialism in young people. About 250 teens between 12 and 18, most of whom were White and middle-class, responded to questions like whether clothing labels mattered to them, how much they cared about material items, and whether they usually had something in mind they wanted to buy. Teens also rated how much they felt their parents cared about them—for instance, whether their moms and dads understood their problems and seemed to enjoy talking to them. In addition, they said how much screen time they got per week.

Teens who felt their parents cared more for them reported somewhat lower levels of materialism, suggesting that a close parent-child relationship may somehow reduce these feelings. Those who got less screen time also scored moderately lower on materialism.

Though we can’t always prevent our teens from coveting the latest gadget, it seems that nurturing youths’ socioemotional health and limiting screen time may help. We can also help by encouraging youth to think critically about marketing and advertising practices that are both enticing and misleading.

(Image credit: Laughing teen girls by x1klima. CC license.)

References:

Gudmunson, C. G., & Beutler, I. F. (2012). Relation of parental caring to conspicuous consumption attitudes in adolescents. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 33, 389-399. doi:10.1007/s10834-012-9282-7

(Originally published in a slightly different form as: Church, C. (2013). Teens and materialism. [Radio broadcast episode]. Family Album Radio. Gainesville, FL: University of Florida.)

0


Posted: December 16, 2013


Category: Money Matters, Relationships & Family, Work & Life
Tags: Family Resource Management, Health And Wellness, Parenting, Personal And Family Finances


Subscribe For More Great Content

IFAS Blogs Categories