In the USA, a great premium (value) is placed on: (a) economic success and (b) t

Question

In the USA, a great premium (value) is placed on:

(a) economic success and
(b) the outward signs that signify this success to others.

Many adults (and even young adults) get great pleasure from how other people see their cars, homes, and other ways of spending money. The rich often get BIG pleasure from flaunting their wealth (buy buying expensive things or by making a big deal about their charity and donations to worthwhile causes). All of this behavior is perfectly normal and does not need to be criticized.

Now, a great many people who are eligible for Food Stamps do not use them. Why do you think this is the case? Do you think this has anything to do with the thought expressed immediately above. What about you? If you were eligible for food stamps, would you use them? Would it make a difference if you were alone at a checkout counter or with a group of friends?

Explanation / Answer

This is behavioural economics. When people do charity more than one they want to show it. When you purchase a new television a new house a new car or even a new smartphone you tend to flaunt it simply because you believe that it will give you pleasure when others are feeling jealous about you. In the same manner when you have food stamps you will never use them unless a dire situation others. This is because you receive a disutility when other people see you using food stamp. Food stamps are a part of food stamp program that help the poor to have a standard of life. Having a food stamp is considered as a taboo because it categorises you as a poor individual. Those who are living below below the poverty line do not like to express their poverty in any manner because it dissatisfies them. This is the reason why if you are eligible for food stamps you will never use it in front of other people or even a group of friends but you will use it if you are alone.

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