Explanation
Consumer culture refers to societies in which the acquisition and display of goods, lifestyles, and experiences become central to social identity and cultural meaning. Consumption is therefore not only economic behavior but also a symbolic practice connected to status, recognition, and belonging.
In criminology and cultural sociology, consumer culture has been linked to:
- relative deprivation,
- status competition,
- youth subcultures,
- street crime,
- and media-driven aspirations.
Critical criminologists and cultural criminologists argue that highly consumer-oriented societies may intensify frustration and exclusion among individuals unable to participate fully in dominant consumption patterns.
Theoretical Reference
Consumer culture is associated with cultural criminology, critical theory, consumer sociology, and theories of social inequality.