68) Danielle Eckenroth, Wealthy "Justice ": The Role Wealth Plays in Sentencing and in the
Affluenza Defense, 41 New Eng.
The
Affluenza virus, as described by James, is a set of values which increase our vulnerability to psychological distress: placing a high value on acquiring money and possessions, looking good in the eyes of others and wanting to be famous - all encouraged by mainstream media and advertising," said Micah.
John de Graaf is a co-author of the recently reissued bestseller
Affluenza, as well as What's the Economy For Anyway?
Ethan Couch, 16, was sentenced to 10 years probation after a psychologist testified at his trial that he suffered from
affluenza or "spoiled brat" syndrome--a belief that his parents' wealth meant his actions had no consequences.
Can we now expect a series of similar
affluenza pleas in defence of anti-social behaviour?
In this country, measles is taking the health headlines by storm, but if the tiny seeds of
affluenza in our own little ones are not addressed, relationship and child development expert Ali Gui says it can lead to an epidemic of dissatisfaction among our future movers and shakers - the same ones who are to shape our country when we, the parents hit out twilight years.
Couch and his wealthy parents should have been told that the cure for
affluenza is a long poverty-stricken stretch in a prison where he would learn his money can't buy justice.
The consumptive nature of a beauty-identity has been famously depicted in the popular PBS documentary
Affluenza.
As portrayed in the PBS documentary
Affluenza, where people comfort themselves with material goods and ignore their deeper relationship issues, I was busying myself with accomplishment and avoidance, and embracing a looking glass self.
Oliver James, in his book
Affluenza (Vermilion, 2007), advocates positive volition while criticizing positive thinking.
2008) The Selfish Capitalist: Origins of
Affluenza, London, Vermilion.
His concern in these unflattering portraits is not just to critique
affluenza, but to assert an alternative to ruling-class cosmology.
