One of the main questions raised when thinking about consumerism is whether it is seen as creative or restricting. This view on consumerism roots back to the 1950's/60's as the combination of Britain becoming an affluent society and the rise of teenage domination meant that there was more time for leisure, not only for those of middle class but working class families also. Alot of this is due to the fact that within the early 60's many within Britain were enjoying electricity, this ensured that there were many more activities and consumer products to be enjoyed and bought in to.
It is widely thought that the power of the consumer lies with young people and it is in fact their input that deems consumerism to be creative. Teenagers were spending money on luxury items and entertainment, meaning that they were spending more money of consumer products. They were spending a lot of money of clothes, music and socialising. This is something that helps to show consumerism in favour of being creative as young people were buying into such consumerism products but were however, turning them into their own. They were using consumption to form an identity and this is something that can be seen within the rise of the Mod culture.
Mod culture represents this period perfectly as it indicates the use of consumerism in the rise of creative culture within teenagers. Mod's were using such consumption products as music, fashion and leisure activities to define their identity. This helps to argue that consumer products can be used within a creative manor in which to produce selective and individualist groups.
However, it is argued that consumerism cannot be creative and that it is only restricting to those who buy in to it. It is thought that even though we are using consumer products to almost form an identity, it is never really truely individualised as we are chosing from a list that has already been given to us. Therefore, it is thought, that nothing can ever really be new or individual and that consumption will remain a dominant power.
It is widely thought that the power of the consumer lies with young people and it is in fact their input that deems consumerism to be creative. Teenagers were spending money on luxury items and entertainment, meaning that they were spending more money of consumer products. They were spending a lot of money of clothes, music and socialising. This is something that helps to show consumerism in favour of being creative as young people were buying into such consumerism products but were however, turning them into their own. They were using consumption to form an identity and this is something that can be seen within the rise of the Mod culture.
Mod culture represents this period perfectly as it indicates the use of consumerism in the rise of creative culture within teenagers. Mod's were using such consumption products as music, fashion and leisure activities to define their identity. This helps to argue that consumer products can be used within a creative manor in which to produce selective and individualist groups.
However, it is argued that consumerism cannot be creative and that it is only restricting to those who buy in to it. It is thought that even though we are using consumer products to almost form an identity, it is never really truely individualised as we are chosing from a list that has already been given to us. Therefore, it is thought, that nothing can ever really be new or individual and that consumption will remain a dominant power.
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