Question

. Review and describe Diana Kendall's "Framing Class, Vicarious Living, and Conspicuous Consumption," explanation of why middle and working-class people sometimes buy beyond their means, particularly items associated with wealthy celebrities. Do you agree with is "vicarious living" and "unnecessary consumerism"? Explain.

Answer 1

Answers: Diana Kendall is a sociologist at Baylor University. He has studied people's lifestyle and how it affects their consumption. Diana analyzed consumption to be a result of what was seen on the television, which means that people who always watch the television spend more money in buying commodities that are beyond their level. He used the housewife as an instance, because their are always at home watching television, this increases their test to spend money. Because the celebrities we see on the television are using a particular product, even though it's expensive, we will still want to buy that one so that we can feel belonged and rich. He concluded that this vicarious living has made many people in America to borrow more.

Even though Diana Kendall has made a very impressive research, with his vicarious living that is affected by watching television, I don't still agree with his explanations because it lacks so many justification. Some people who watch television don't actually notice any products been used by the actors, their only watch the actions been portrayed in the show. Some people who spend more are never lovers of any TV show or movies, but their shop with preference of things their want.

Diana Analysis may apply to some few persons, but not everyone. Therefore his analysis is lacking justification, because he is only assuming what things are, and why things happen.