♫ It's all about the MONEY!?? ♫

(Course 2 in "Reforming the American System, Reforming Education": Materialism)

Materialism is referenced in the first principle of secularism, “Improvement of this life by material means.” This vice has been indoctrinated through “The American dream” which is then passed down from generation to generation by most Americans and which attracts and is fervently sought after by many immigrants and prospective immigrants around the world.

The goal of education has become materialistic. Many students when asked why they are and should be in school have the same response: "To get the education they need to get into higher paying jobs so that they can make more money, and live a happy, comfortable life with their loved ones." As David Orr puts it, “Education has been whittled down to smaller purposes of passing tests and ensuring large “ lifetime earnings.”” (Orr 61) In short, the American dream tells us that Education is money-oriented since "money buys happiness". There is nothing wrong with pursuing happiness but this kind of view of education is fueled by greed. Instead, a better view of the goal of education should be, to gain wisdom and knowledge so that we can better serve each other and live in harmony with our environment as well. As Palmer puts it, “The goal of knowledge arising from love is the reunification and reconstruction of broken selves and world.” (Palmer 8)

In the Bible, we come across the story of King Solomon, one of Israel’s early kings. In the story God asks Solomon to ask him for whatever he wanted. Solomon asked for “a discerning heart to govern the people and to distinguish between right and wrong.”(New International Version, 1 Kings 3.9) God was pleased with his request and granted him not just the wisdom and discernment that he asked for but wealth, riches and honor as well. There is much to be learnt from that story. First, it reiterates the point at hand, that our quest for knowledge and wisdom should be driven by a desire to serve others and not just ourselves. Another lesson we can derive from Solomon’s story is that as we seek knowledge for the purpose of love and service to others, it is then that we shall be granted happiness for ourselves (*importance of priorities...It also says something about The Source and the ultimate Goal of Wisdom -upcoming post!)

Does Money Buy Happiness?- The Social Psychology of Materialism

The UCLA / American Council on Education conducts an annual

survey of nearly a quarter million entering collegians. In 1970, 39% of the incoming freshmen wanted to "be very well off financially" over " to develop a meaningful philosophy of life" and in 2009 that number went up to 78% !!! Myers observes that materialism is up and spirituality is down. He remarks, " Think of it as today's American Dream: life, liberty, and the purchase of happiness."

So does money really buy happiness? Are rich nations happier? Ronald Ingelhart finds that the income-happiness correlation is "surprisingly weak." Since

1957, Americans are now twice as rich but no happier. The divorce rate has doubled. Teen suicide rate has more than doubled, and more people than ever (especially teens and young adults) are depressed. David Myers, a social Psychologist, calls this "The American Paradox" -"soaring wealth and shrinking spirit." He states that: "More than ever, we have big houses and broken homes, high incomes and low morale, more comfortable cars and more road rage. We excel at making a living but we often fail at making a life. We celebrate our prosperity but yearn for purpose. We cherish our freedoms but long for connection. In an age of plenty we feel spiritual hunger." (Myers, 2009)

More social Psychologists confirm this finding that materialism fails to satisfy. That people who strive most for wealth tend to live with lower well-being.

"Seek extrinsic goals- wealth, beauty, popularity- and you may find anxiety, depression, and psychosomatic ills." (Eckersley, 2005; Sheldon & others, 2004)

"Those who strive for intrinsic goals such as intimacy, personal growth, and contribution to the community, experience a higher quality of life." (Tim Kasser, 2000,2002)

"People who identify themselves with expensive possessions experience fewer positive moods." (Emily Solberg, Ed Diener and Michael Robinson)

Need I say more? By the way I didn't search for this information in some "religious" publication. It's from the last chapter of my Exploring Social Psychology textbook (by David Myers). So if you don't want to hear this from me then take it from the "professionals."

"The challenge for wealthy nations, then is to foster improving standards of living without encouraging materialism and consumerism that displaces the deep need to belong." (David Myers) How??

If it's not all about the money, then what is it all about???
Stay tuned for the concluding course of the series.
But first here's a side dish: Science on the Pedestal and  the next course: Individualism.