With modern consumerism on the rise, it is negatively affecting our children and their future. The negative effects of modern consumerism on children must be addressed before the damage is a permanent affliction of the American society.

I. The effects of consumerism are beginning to mold our children and the American future society in negative ways.
A. Sub point 1: In the current consumer society, "I am what I possess" is the average American’s outlook on their lives.
1. In today's society consumerism is viewed to be a negative portion of society and social behaviors.
2. Families have begun to stray from the meaningful and necessary time spent teaching and shaping their children to become productive adults.
B. Sub point 2: Modern families need to focus on rearing their children to be a positive influence in society.
1. When a child is raised primarily by electronics they lose sight of their actual surroundings.
2. Common interaction with peers becomes limited. Parents need to focus the attention away from the television and put the efforts into their family values rather than the family car.

II. Consumerism can actually have some positive effects on the American society.
A. Sub point: The economy depends on society purchasing items.

1. Without the everlasting effects of supply and demand the employment status would decrease.
2. The increase in demand for consumer items also entices investors to provide money into an increased production therefore, consumption growth also e economic growth.

B. Sub point 2: With the increasing demand of the most recent items offered to society, inventors are compelled to produce more efficient products.
1. The more the American public relies on electronics the more eco friendly we as Americans can become.
2. If Americans cut down on the utilization of fuels and paper products the earth will not suffer as much environmental harm; examples include computers and electric vehicles.

III. One must consider that children are in fact a captive audience in America.
A. Sub point 1: Advertising plays an enormous role in the purchase patterns of children’s items.

1. The average American child watches an approximate thirty thousand commercials each year.
2. Teenagers consume a mere one hundred and sixty billion each year on the hottest, newest, have to have products of the time.

B. Sub point 2 Young Adults and children suffer mental anguish from today’s materialistic society.
1. Children of lower income families often feel the pressure from their peers for not obtaining the name brand sneakers or the newest technology in cell phones or video games.
2. There have been many cases where a child being made fun of for feeling inadequate have attempted or successfully committed suicide.