Meanings of Material Possessions as Reflections of Identity
Author(s)
Dittmar, Helga
Abstract
The neoclassical economic model of consumer behavior, with its emphasis on functional use values, has traditionally ignored the value material possessions contribute to a person’s sense of self. But in fact, many goods have meanings that are important to the development of identity, especially in industrialized countries. This selection argues that such meanings originate in the social realm and that cultural assumptions about gender, class and status are reflected in the way individuals relate to their most treasured possessions. It suggests that aspects of gender inequalities may be perpetuated with goods that embody stereotypes which shape self-development.
