Money conflicts in Relationships

Money conflicts in relationships are reflective of society's growing insecurity about its financial future. America is turning into a fatalistic culture. This negativity is based on economic conditions that contradict the once prevalent belief of never-ending prosperity. The United States' stalled economy, mind boggling national debt, and the prospect of the collapse of the Social Security system have left many Americans terrified about their ability to make ends meet. The American dream has become the American nightmare as citizens struggle for scarce financial resources. Small wonder then that economic issues are a deepening source of conflict in personal relationships in this country.

Money has become the very center of life for many Americans. As Andy Warhol put it, "Money is the moment to me. Money is my mood." Donna Boundy contends that America is a money-addicted culture, "There are a number of signs that we as a culture have become dysfunctional with money." The preoccupation with money pervades society at the consumer, government, and corporate levels. At the consumer level, shopping has become a way of life for some. In past generations, incurring consumer debt had a negative connotation; debt was reserved for big ticket items such as housing, land, or automobiles. Today, debt is viewed as normal. Consequently, America is now the number one consumer nation in the world. This frenzy for spending has naturally taken its toll on family relationship

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t by the year 2080. The longevity revolution has caused a permanent shift in the ratio of elderly to older persons. The insecurity of the younger generation in facing their financial future has led to a decline in ethical standards in the United States. A 1994 survey conducted by Money magazine revealed that more Americans were willing to cheat about money than ever before. The survey interviewed 2,250 adults nationwide, 24 percent of whom responded that they would not speak up if a restaurant waiter undercharged them, compared to 15 percent who would not do so in 1987. And nine percent of those surveyed in 1994 claimed that if they found a wallet with $100 in it they would keep the cash, compared with four percent who said they would do so seven years ago. People between 18 and 34 years old turned out to be much less ethical than older adults. Of the senior citizens (age 65 and older) surveyed only 2 percent admitted they would keep a found wallet with $1000 cash in it, compared with 21 percent of the younger generation. One explanation for the difference in ethics between young and old could be that society has failed to transmit traditional values from one generation to the next. The socialization process in Ame

Category: Psychology - M