SCRIBBLES
5
Sabrina Ahmed Al Harthy
PAGE
33
(PS Sec.1)
While you are in Carrefour to buy your shampoo, will you take an old brand that you have been using or will you be tempted to try the New L'Oreal Paris, THE BRAND used by BEYONCE? Let's be honest, you will take the L'Oreal! People are spending too much for products that they think effective. Are they really effective? Advertisements manipulate people to buy anything. People regrettably spend most for products they don't know and they don't need because of advertisements. Statistics from American psychological association has found that 75% of American buy products without knowing their effects and effectiveness. Many products found in the market can harm the consumers. Example cosmetics containing paraben are found in all corners. Unfortunately this chemical and its derivatives have been proven to cause breast cancer, supported by A 2012 article published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology . Many other harmful chemicals are found in daily used products. People inspired by advertisements buy products without knowing their compositions believing those products are the best in the market. People spend beyond their means. Advertisements are suitable for people that can afford. What about those who can't? They keep in mind the ideal lifestyle shown on media thinking it is the right one, believing that this is going to make them happy. This encourages them to take loans and living beyond their means which most of the time ends badly! Supported by Michael I. Norton, an associate professor at the Harvard Business
School. Advertisements affect all ages, children, teenagers and adults and in many aspects. Children are more affected by food advertisements according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention more than one-third of all U.S. kids are overweight or obese, setting themselves up for health problems like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.. Teenagers are becoming materialists. In fact, 71 percent of teens are materialistic and said they’d be happier if they had “more money to spend on themselves,” according to a 2011 survey reported by Reuters. Adults are more affected by the ideal lifestyle, shown on Media. Having a house near the beach with a latest model cars and beautiful wife is the ideal life for men. Women are more affected by cosmetics. In fact the media has been found to cause women to feel unattractive. These women lacking in self-esteem are going to use adornments. This is supported by Cash & Cash’s (2010) study. Always do research about the product before buying them, make sure that you know the chemicals that have been used for cosmetics products. Try to know what are the ingredients used and how the food has been cooked before eating. While buying a gadget , make a small research about the options offered and see if you need them or not, if they are important or not! Same for cars. Imagine a world where people were doing research before buying anything, were saying no to all those products that affects their health, companies will be obliged to improve their products for the consumers. Be aware of advertisement. Know that you are the target of all companies!! They are working hard and spending a lot of money for making the best advertisements to manipulate you buying their stock of products that didn't succeed in the market!! Be critical while buying your products! At the end don't let somebody else tell you what you need? let companies designing products in accordance to your needs!