When I was 7 years old, my parents forced me to clean my room and do my homework. I was not unlike any other child. I wanted nothing more than to roam the neighborhood until it was dark. However, discipline from my parents and low grades in school taught me otherwise — change only came as a result of consequences.
Before the economic crisis, America could be compared to the seven-year-old in this story — it liked to run amuck and was not ready for the ramifications of its actions.
As a nation, we largely subscribed to the instant gratification message our society presented us. Appeasement was all that mattered. We were living beyond our means. It was the age of instant credit and a “buy now, pay later” mentality. This mindset led us to our current economic predicament.
The idea that America is answerable to the economic laws of nature is something relatively new to this generation. This nation has exercised economic dominance since we were children — we are not used to vulnerability yet.
A poll conducted by the American Psychological Association last September showed that 80 percent of Americans are stressed because of the economy. The National Sleep Foundation learned 27 percent of people have trouble sleeping because of economic stresses. A New York Times article reports that the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline received 50,158 calls this past January. It received 39,465 calls the January before. The group’s federal project officer cited economic woes as a reason for the drastic increase.
Our current situation also has forced people to reevaluate who they are and on what they place an importance. A special report from Time provided empirical data to back up these abstract notions. According to the article, 61 percent of people believe they will spend less even when this country sees better times. Once opulence returns, if we are more careful with our pocketbooks, the “buy now, pay later” mentality may be eradicated.
Thirty-three percent of people polled say they spend more time with their family, and as a result, their relationships have improved. The mutual support we can offer one another in hard times is critical, but we should also celebrate each other’s successes in prosperous times.
As a nation, we have finally hit our breaking point. It seems the imperialism of Western culture is waning. We are now evaluating what is really important. The vacation that could not wait now seems very insignificant and talks of tuition hikes have made students, including myself, realize how important education is. The thought of being denied a chance to learn simply because a person cannot pay has caused outrage across the state.
The most important decision we, as a nation, can make is not only how we will weather this crisis, but how we will live after it is over. Will we go back to lavish living or have we changed our ways?
Only time will tell, but I think America is on its way to a greener pasture.
Reach Andrew at andrew.hedlund@asu.edu.
