Gifts, Globalization and Consumerism
Humans have exchanged gifts to one another for thousands of years.
Gift giving practices and behavior vary cross-culturally. Today’s global society is expanding more toward the consumerism mode of consumption due to globalization and capitalism.
Currently, the United States is one of the most prominent gift-giving societies around the globe. They stand at the forefront in providing famine relief, donations, and money for those less fortunate. Some might say these acts of generosity are true examples of “pure gifts.”
However, in today’s society, there are those who disagree with the altruistic concept and ideal.
The donation of living organs to sustain life is one way, one gesture of altruism recently accepted in the consumerism culture. However, these donations are not acceptable in some cultures. For instance, bioethics, a new field of study, uncovers concerns with the religious communities and the concept of giving the “gift of life.”
There will always be those who disagree with the concept of altruism and the philosophical aspects of giving the “pure gift.” Additionally, cultures throughout the world practice a variety of gift-giving behaviors. Cross-culturally gift-giving practices and behaviors may vary, however the United States is setting examples of generosity and gift giving in the form of humanitarian relief, worldwide.
Moreover, global communication, due to the Internet, cellular phones, satellite transmission, and other forms of technology are ever increasing the distribution of the United States gift giving traditions while enhancing consumerism and formulating a global economy.
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