What do you think were some of the positive and negative effects of the rise of a consumer culture?

Explanation:

The positive effects of the industrialization were felt mostly by factory owners and members of high society. Some of the benefits were enjoyed by everyone in society.

Higher Standard of Living – A percentage of the population saw a higher standard of living and more disposable income.

More jobs – The working class found it easier to find jobs than in years prior due to factories needing so many different workers.

More affordable products – Mass production of products in factories meant more products available as well as less expensive, or more affordable products.

Development of Cities – One of the most long-lasting effects of industrialization is the increase in cities. Gone were the days where people lived in small cities or towns or on farms. What once was a small city developed into a full-fledged sprawling city with numerous residents.

Negative Effects of Industrialization

The negative effects of industrialization were numerous. For the working class, an estimated 80% of society, they saw and felt the direct impact of the industrialization with respect to the negatives. The wealthy and the business owners only had knowledge or interest in all of the benefits that came from the dramatic change in industry and society as a whole. The follow are just a few of the less than humane effects of industrialization.

Child labor – Factory owners turn to unskilled children to work in their factories. Children were easier to control and would work at a fraction of the wage their adult counterparts would. Children were also able to complete jobs where a worker needed to get into small or confined spaces too small for adults.

Wage slavery – Workers were subjected to wages that were less than fair. Unfortunately, due to the need for work, they became slaves to both their jobs and the minimal wages they earned.

Slums – Neighborhoods for the working class were less than ideal. The working class lived in overcrowded areas that were dirty and typically filled with pollution.

Terrible working conditions – At the start of the industrialization workers were subject to horrible if not dangerous working conditions. The working class worked as much as six days a week and 10 to 14 hours was a very common shift per day. There were safety hazards including excessive heat especially for ironworkers. Accidents were a common occurrence. Equipment and machinery had dangerous parts exposed, contributing to the number of injuries.

since most of current immigration into the u.s., both legal and illegal, is coming from latin america. it would be very difficult to imagine or rationalize a country my fellow citizens are trying desperately to flee into, would pose a threat to my prosperity or freedom. since the u.s. has a long history of intervention, but no record of permanent occupation, i would not feel oppression is the main objective.  

the largest free trade nation, along with the largest gdp in the world wanting to expand it's economic policy on us, and including us, could only be positive. the u.s. government has no interest in, or way of simply forcing american culture on us. and has no track record of it. other nations that adopted american social culture, or "americanization" did so voluntarily, mainly through the choice of allowing american businesses and u.s. citizens to come into their nations, as free operatives.