Pbs Teachers: What Is Affluenza? (Lesson in Materialism and Overconsumption)

A lesson plan developed for in-class screenings of the PBS documentary "Affluenza," but which could easily be adapted to support any lesson on understanding personal consumption choices. Students will compare and contrast the affluence of Americans today with their counterparts from the 1950s and investigate the link between possessions and personal happiness. Using a provided worksheet they will also interview adult family members and write summaries of their findings. A useful lesson for developing a variety of 21st century skills, such as being self-aware, conducting interpersonal interviews, understanding how our values shape our choices, etc.