| We are daily reminded by the media of our growing | | | | quality of life not available to my parents. |
| materialism which will eventually, if you believe the | | | | Today 'materialism' is often just another word for what |
| media, be our downfall. Certainly there are people | | | | used to be known as 'keeping up with the Jones's', i.e. |
| whose only ambition is to acquire more and more | | | | wanting something someone else has just for the |
| possessions as an end in itself, which obviously | | | | sake of it, not because you need it. It's very much the |
| denotes greed and insecurity and benefits no one. | | | | same with cars. Joe Public down the road has just |
| These accusations of materialism are, in many | | | | traded in his car for a new one so you immediately |
| respects, quite insulting to the average person, (if such | | | | begin to think that you too must change yours. Why, |
| there is) and need analysing. | | | | for Heaven's sake, when your own is running perfectly |
| So called 'materialism' often stems from people who | | | | well? |
| grew up with little or no 'mod cons', and made their | | | | These accusations of materialism are, of course, |
| lives more comfortable. As a result they are unjustly | | | | fuelled by the press and television, the very same |
| singled out for improving their standard of living simply | | | | media which pulls out all the stops to persuade us , by |
| because it involved spending money on much needed | | | | advertising, that we will not be happy unless or until we |
| possessions and improvements. | | | | have that new lawnmower, C.D. player, car, new |
| There is little virtue in waking up on an icy winter | | | | kitchen or that exotic holiday. We are bombarded |
| morning without hot water, central heating and | | | | morning, noon and night by advertisements doing their |
| windows frozen inside and out. Years ago there were | | | | utmost to ensure we become the materialistic society |
| no fitted carpets to take the chill off and I can | | | | of which we are accused. There is nothing virtuous in |
| remember, as a child, my teeth literally chattering with | | | | making people feel they will not be happy until they |
| cold. My father, who suffered from bronchitis couldn't | | | | acquire certain possessions, in addition to the fact that |
| have had a much worse start to the day. Wealthy | | | | many people cannot afford them. Unfortunately, people |
| people did, of course, have servants to light the fires | | | | are easily influenced and some will succumb to the |
| and prepare breakfast but to the man in the street | | | | temptations brandished in front of them, night after |
| these people might as well have lived on another | | | | night, with unremitting tenacity. |
| planet. Thousands of women were simply drudges for | | | | The majority of people have enough sense not to be |
| most of their lives (a few still are today) and before | | | | tempted into buying things they cannot afford and are |
| the advent of washing machines, fridge/freezers, | | | | content with the creature comforts they have. There |
| central heating, food processors, dish washers etc., | | | | are thousands of people who derive tremendous |
| there was precious little time or money for leisure and | | | | pleasure from their gardens and will spend hours |
| very few people owned cars. | | | | cultivating them. Other people enjoy walking for hours |
| Once these luxury items began being mass produced | | | | in the countryside, hill climbing, a game of bridge, fishing, |
| there was a real incentive for people to work to obtain | | | | a trip to the library, swimming, playing tennis, painting, |
| these specialist goods. These products are now the | | | | cooking a special meal, planning a picnic or barbeque, |
| norm in most households and include telephones, | | | | drama, reading a particularly good book or inviting |
| television, cars, videos, C.D. and D.V.D. players, | | | | friends round for the evening. None of these activities |
| computers and mobile phones. People began to realise | | | | cost very much but they give people hours of |
| that, with more time for leisure, life could actually be | | | | pleasure and, in many cases, allow them to interact |
| enjoyed as opposed to being one long daily grind. In | | | | with each other. |
| addition advanced medical facilities also improved | | | | It should be emphasised that there is nothing at all to |
| people's standard of living. Suddenly people's | | | | be ashamed of in taking holidays abroad, owning a car, |
| expectations of life were greatly increased. | | | | wearing good clothes or acquiring a home and all that |
| All this was due to so called 'materialism' which gave | | | | goes with it. Having a warm comfortably furnished |
| people a whole new outlook and pleasure in life. Prior | | | | home is something to be proud of and obviously |
| to this, the majority of people were content if they | | | | involves spending money to achieve this. So, please, do |
| could just have shelter, food and warmth - the same | | | | not allow the media to make you feel guilty because |
| requirements of the animals. This 'materialism' has in | | | | you take pleasure in your home, sentimental |
| fact, freed people from daily drudgery and afforded | | | | possessions, your car or a lovely holiday. Most of you |
| them a lifestyle never dreamed of in their | | | | take enormous pleasure and pride in your children and |
| grandparents' day. The time for criticism will be when | | | | many of you are wonderful friends to your neighbours, |
| material possessions are the only reason for | | | | being there for them in times of need. The spiritual, |
| existence. We are, I believe, a long way from that day | | | | aesthetic and emotional sides of life are far from |
| and I, personally, am eternally grateful for enjoying a | | | | extinct. |