A Consumer Society
28 Jan
A couple of weeks ago, I stood behind an old man in line at the post office. He admired Kaisa, and then got all nostalgic and started talking about his own children when they were young. Then, he said something really interesting. He told me that his grandmother told him when she was young and having babies, they stayed inside all nine months and made baby clothes. I laughed and said, “I worked all nine months and bought all my baby clothes!”
A couple of days ago, Nathan and I made a quick trip to Costco for some essentials. I got in line behind a little boy sitting in a cart. He was about 3 or 4. He took one look in my cart and exclaimed, “That’s all you guys got!?” I laughed and said yes. He then took a moment to study the items and said, “That’s it? Only four things?” His face showed such total shock, I couldn’t help but laugh again. His mom overheard and, as she unloaded her cart that was full to the brim, told me, “I wish that’s all we were getting!”
It’s interesting how from a very early age, Americans are taught to be consumerists. I don’t think parents teach this intentionally; in fact, a lot of it probably has to do with television commercials and other advertising. All you have to do is turn on Saturday morning cartoons to know what I’m talking about…they know how to get kids hooked on products!
As I have made the jump from the work force to homemaker, I have noticed even more that I am truly a consumer rather than a producer. I don’t particularly like this feeling. I try desperately to hold onto some sort of feeling of productivity as I occasionally keep a simple garden, make my bread from scratch, and create Kaisa’s headbands and bracelets. But part of me is so grateful for the convenience of boneless, skinless chicken, factory-made clothing, and decorations for my house that I don’t have to make.
I think one of my goals as a parent will be to teach my children to be as productive as possible and that they can’t have everything they want. This will do them a great service as they become adults and are faced with important money management decisions. Sometimes it’s very hard to budget and do without in a world that is so focused on having everything now and paying later. And it’s even more difficult to use free time to do things that you could spend a little extra money to avoid. But I think that’s the way Heavenly Father would rather we do it. What are your thoughts on this subject?
I couldn’t agree more. It’s horrible. I wish it wasn’t so, but I think for the most part the US as a whole doesn’t produce anything. Which is also sad. We try and teach Kelby right, but who knows how well we’re doing until it’s too late.
Very interesting about the 9 month clothing sewing thing. I might have to try stuff like that. But I wanted to say that I sure love you and miss you. And um…. I hate to be all English teacher-y but I thought you ought to know that you wrote Comsumer instead of Consumer. So, uh, I thought you might appreciate that, maybe?? A little bit?? I love you girl!
Hahaha! Silly me, I will change that. Funny how neither Nathan or I noticed it.
Hi, Fiona! I just randomly jumped on your blog today, but I strongly agree with you on this! I think we’re on the same page (i.e. I make my own bread.) It disgusts me the way Americans consume (myself included.) It’s an internal conflict deciding whether to snag the latest gadget or keep it old school. I think every generation consumes more than the one before it. Our parents made baby clothes, but did they churn their own butter? I guess it’s the way life goes. But I still try really hard to basically be all-around ghetto. Actually I don’t try that hard, it comes naturally.