Framing Class, Vicarious Living, and Conspicuous Consumption

In “Framing Class, Vicarious Living, and Conspicuous Consumption,” author Diana Kendall talks about the different social classes of society and how the media frames its view on the lifestyle of people. The media targets the general public by making them think they can be rich and famous like the people in on television or in movies etc. Kendall disagrees with the viewpoint of the media and says that the middle class will not be able to have a substantial increase in income. In other words, she believes the general public will never really be able to become truly rich. She says that we buy large houses and cars just to mimic the rich, only to put ourselves in debt; therefore making us less rich than before. I agree with Kendall full-heartedly. I believe that the media really molds our view on how our lifestyle should be. We then become slightly misguided and purchase things beyond our reach. However, I disagree with Kendall on one point. She thinks that the middle class will never become rich. I believe that if people stop trying to follow the media’s lifestyle, they will be able to witness a benefit in the long run and become more rich. 

Further Reading: http://sammiesstarkeysblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/framing-class-vicarious-living-and.html