In recent years, young individuals in some countries have higher life expectancy and better physical health. However, it is arguable that they feel less happy despite all the material possessions they own. This essay will explore one primary reason leading to this tendency before proposing some effective solutions.
The influence of commercial advertising has heavily undermined the happiness of young people, especially in this contemporary society, where they become the target audience for the marketing industry. Therefore, these individuals are manipulated to adopt the characteristics of consumer and throwaway society, possessing material goods that they are persuaded will bring them happiness. For instance, it is easy to witness some people express excessive cravings for the latest Iphone model although their old ones still function well. As a result, they begin to develop higher expectations, which leads to dissatisfaction even when their material needs are met. Furthermore, once material possessions fail to hold promise, it will cause disillusionment among the young, which eventually affects their mental health.
To address this issue, the government can take several approaches. First and foremost, the officials should limit the appearance of misleading advertisements that encourage hedonic treadmill by imposing an official ban on such contents. National and local authorities should also allocate funds to provide young people with recreational facilities such as bike-sharing schemes or free open-air concerts. By successfully implementing these measures, young people can truly seek happiness, interact with other people and pursue their own interests in the right way rather than being passive consumers.
In conclusion, it is undeniable that the marketing industry has taken advantage of advertisements to force impressionable young people to fall prey to the allure of consumerism, which subsequently culminates in disappointments and depression. Nevertheless, this situation can be alleviated with the intervention of the government by restricting advertisements that contain misperception and investing more in leisure infrastructure.