Introduction (1/2 page) For better or worse, people consume to feel good about themselves. This could be through fitting in, feeling confident, participating in shopping culture, or communicating with others. Consumerism has become a universal behavior among most people and groups. According to Sharon Boden, consumption is influenced by both external and internal constraints and expectations (150). I argue that consumerism and consumption are no longer an accurate indicator of a person's actual status and wealth. This comes with greater accessibility to goods and experiences. For example, driving a Mercedes-Benz is no longer a symbol of being rich or belonging to a higher class, as people can rent or take out loans to purchase such luxury goods. Today we see scandalous disparity in wealth everywhere, yet people of different backgrounds and classes can drink the same wine, go to the same symphony or rent the same vehicle. While stereotypes and an emphasis on public image are common in this judgment-based society, they fall short when the question boils down to “who buys what.” There are endless trends going on in relation to consumerism, such as increased consumption, the idea of ​​adaptation, etc. This article analyzes five different academic books to determine why consumerism and consumption are no longer an accurate representation of wealth and status. I will first provide a theoretical and historical background on the topic of consumption, then I will discuss the following categories: symbolic indulgence, symbolic deprivation and, finally, class convergence. Subtopic: Theory and Methodology (I Page) The five academic books reviewed are as follows: In Longing a...... middle of paper ...... reducing consumerism and consumption in society will require people to boycott a cause or a company, preventing it from functioning. Alternatively, people have the opportunity to be more resourceful and creative with their time and money. References Aspers, Patrik. 2010. Orderly Fashion: A Sociology of Markets, Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.Boden, Sharon. 2003. Consumerism, Romance and the Experience of Marriage, Houndmills, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. Johnston, Josée and Shyon Baumann. 2010. Foodies: Democracy and Distinction in the Gourmet Foodscape, New York: Routledge.Pugh, Allison J. 2009. Longing and Belonging: Parents, Children, and ConsumerCulture, Berkeley, CA: University of Berkeley Press.Zukin, Sharon. 2005. Point of Purchase: How Shopping Has Changed American Culture, New York: Routledge.