I Want It Now: Navigating Childhood in a Materialistic World

By Donna Bee-Gates

Book Overview

In today's world of mega-stores and shop-til-you-drop mentality, people are spending more money than ever in an attempt to find fulfillment in their lives--and children are no exception. In fact, children and teens spend billions of dollars a year on clothes, entertainment, and fast food. In I Want It Now , parents are given the framework to understand how this culture of instant gratification influences their own and their children's spending habits. Bee-Gates discusses how using material goods as rewards or as emotional compensation affects young people's social and psychological development and the ways in which parents can counter materialism by fostering a strong self-concept, concern for others, and a sense of life's purpose in their children.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0230602533
• ISBN13: 9780230602533
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: Palgrave MacMillan
• Length: 245 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

you need to read this book

if you are a parent you need to read this book. if you've ever been a child you need to read this book. As our country moves further and further away from true family values, and further and further towards a consumer-driven, materialistic, attention span challenged, instant gratification-based culture, here's a book that actually addresses what is to be done. do yourself a favor and read this book.

Full of practical suggestions

I recently went to a talk with the author and it was incredible. She gave so many practical suggestions on how to spare our kids from the fate of obsession with material things. By following even a few of these, I can help my kids build a happy, contented adulthood. I have to admit to not having read this book, yet, but it's next on my list.

Very helpful and Insightful

I am enjoying this book! It has helped me to identify specific things about our approach to materialistic things and how to change.