Affluenza Epidemic: $10,000 Summer Camps for Kiddies & Spoiled Generations (Opinion, Analysis)

Judith Warner's on to something here--the insidious affluenza that's permeated our society. The $10,000 summer camp, with support services for over-anxious parents, is just one major symbol of a society sicked with greed and debt.

It's a phenomena that I've watched develop over the last decade or so. The landscape is littered with upcoming generations of greedy, "gotta have it now", and "it's about ME, baby" citizens.

Gone are self-discipline and a sense of having to work for something, even (gasp!) save for it. Now there's the magic plastic card, and the pervading sense of "I deserve it--right now!".

The problem extends well beyond the kiddies in summer camp. I agree with Warner--affluenza's center core is amorality based on selfishness.

And it's about more than kiddies. When the affluenza-afflicted come into the workplace, the entire business culture changes--in fact, it's already in play.

Hustlers, grabbing for a short-term gain, with a reap-and-run mentality, create a business environment that's more like old Viking pillaging than ethical business. They don't worry about the long haul, because they're moving on, trying to grab the next big wave for quick celebrity and easy bucks.

Homes are being foreclosed at an appalling rate. Slick companies offering low "bait" rates--with later increases--coupled with consumers' greed have created a nightmare.

The ethics of work hard, build for the future, save, earn rewards, are now laughed at. How old-fashioned can you get?

I first noticed this shift years ago when potential new employees began asking me not about the company, the goals, or anything about the actual position, but instead asked how long before they got 3 or 4 weeks of vacation and other goodies.

I recall a junior editor on my high-tech editing team who would read magazines if she completed one small task, rather than looking for other tasks or educating herself on the technology we all had to understand. Yet she expected a promotion and a significant raise.

When I explained to her why she wasn't getting a promotion, but instead a not-too-glowing employee evaluation, she was very upset. And, she told me, "you give me the raise, then I'll do more work."

Affluenza. I have no doubt that by this time, she's married and is raising her kids with affluenza.

When couples now spend $30,000 to $40,000 on their wedding alone, something's wrong. Then they expect a nice home with new, matching furniture and lots of goodies.

Paying for education? That can wait. Let's build up the student loans while we party. Conserving money and saving it? That can wait, we need a hot car for everyone over the age of 16 in this family, plus our lattes, big screen TVs, $150 tennis shoes discarded in a few months, and oh well, put it on the credit card.

Affluenza. Warning--will create hustlers that invade the business landscape. Will create spoiled brats. Will create an ethos of selfishness and demands for instant personal gratification.

Affluenza: will create a total mindset that enslaves the future to play with the plastic charge cards now. This bug is dangerous, and it's everywhere.

Additional information: a PBS special on affluenza.