Do You Want Your Children to Be Very Materialistic?

Absolutely not! That’s not a value I ever want them to imbibe. Yes, I need them to be driven enough to desire excellence and attain the highest heights in their careers and various aspects of life, but this should not come at the expense of empathy, kindness, morale, and a fear of God.

In their quest to acquire all the wealth they possibly can, I want them to place God at the very center. Only then will they approach materialism with a deeper understanding and a balanced perspective.

Material Things Are Necessary for Survival

Material things and an appreciation for them are essential to survive in this world. My children will need a house, a car, and a decent job to buy their own necessities. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the value of money and its impact on our lives.

Materialism and Its Impact

Materialism is about scarcity and external validation. Many believe they are not good enough or do not have enough, but owning certain things can make them feel good enough, happy, and worthy. Perhaps instead, we should teach our kids that they are all these without owning anything; they are good enough, and they were born worthy. This belief can lead to a happier life.

Children’s Desire for Ownership

There is a natural desire in children to own things, but this is often driven by a desire for power and choice. There are many ways to meet the child’s desire for power and choice without always buying stuff.

Materialism and Its Consequences

Short answer, absolutely not. People who are highly materialistic tend to be selfish and love things more than people. They may never be satisfied with their lives, especially if they lack the money to buy things. Money is not the most important thing in life.

From an Expert's Perspective

Hi, Christopher Voss. To be 'very' in one dimension of personality can make you an outlier. To be 'materialistic' can put you in a category where money, possessions, and physical comforts are more important than anything else, including spirituality.

These extremes can make you a loner. Even rarest types in the 16 personalities exhibit traits at around 80-85, 90% levels, far from the extremes. My answer is definitely no. I want my children to know and value hard work. Life is not easy; competence and manner make man.

I hope this perspective helps you in parenting and raising your children with a balanced view of materialism and life values.