Cars as Status Symbols

Persuasive Essay # 102940

Communication
Sociology

This paper discusses material culture and looks at how cars are used as status symbols.

838 words () | 6 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This essay explores the social symbolism that is involved with cars and argues that cars are used by many individuals as status symbols. More specifically, the paper asserts that cars are used to convey a wide range of information about the identity and position in society of the person driving the car. The paper maintains that cars are not just vehicles, they are status symbols. They actually represent two different things. On a very general level they represent economic wealth. On a second level they represent masculinity, power and vitality. The writer concludes that cars, like many aspects of material culture, are used to create identities.

From the Paper:

"What this means is that we often use products to create identities for ourselves. For example, someone wishing to be thought of as a sports fanatic will buy clothing based on sports teams. This means that consumer products become symbols for who we think we are or at the very least who we want people to think we are.
"The question that must be asked at this point is how do cars fit into this symbolic framework? Cars require a large number of resources to operate. A whole range of lifestyles and industries have developed that are directly connected to cars. Probably one of the most important developments has been the creation of suburbs."

Sample of Sources Used:

Anonymous, "Status Symbol" in The New Oxford American Dictionary, 2007: Anonymous http://www.oxfordreference. com.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/views/SEARCH_RESULTS.html?q=st atus%20symbol&ssid=605150432&scope=global&time=0.3993952693 49689.
Bearden, William O, Hunter Gary L and Tian, Tepper, Kelly, "Consumers' Need for Uniqueness" in Journal of Consumer Research, Gainsville, Vol.28, Iss.1, June 2001: 50-66.
Burkhart, Anne, "Object Lessons: Thinking About Material Culture" in Art Education, Reston, Vol.59, Iss. 2, Mar 2006: 33-40.
McLuhan, Marshall, Understanding Media: the Extensions of Man, Terrance W. Gordon, Ginko Press, California, 2003.
Hoffmann, Nancy, Urban Consumption of Agricultural Land, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, 2001: http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/21-0066-XIE/21-006-XIE01002.pdf.