Kaden Khau 9 - Wealth Influence
Kaden Khau 9 - Wealth Influence
January 15, 2025
For me, money has always been a source of power I saw when growing up. Phrases like "money can't buy happiness" or "true wealth is not measured in money has always been sort of wrong for me. In most societies, especially America, the surplus of control over resources and being able to exploit that and gain profit from it has always separated our society.
Wealth isn't just about how comfortable you live or just social status. The difference of wealth has dictated access to education, healthcare, and housing. Families with money could navigate challenges without falling apart. Those without it are left to face impossible decisions that they need to sacrifice something just to pay their rent, food or even medication. As I got older, these contrasts became surprisingly more clear. As our society changes over the years, the differences between how wealth and money controls things and makes you powerful by giving more opportunities and power over things. While money doesn't guarantee happiness, it undeniably creates the conditions for it. The constant stress of financial security makes people forget about how they can enjoy life's simple pleasures like relationships, passions, and health. Money also influences yourself as a person. With money, you often have the ear of politicians, the ability to control media, and the power to set the rules for everyone else. Those without money are left voiceless, unable to advocate for themselves in meaningful ways.
Although, the questions isn't relatively if money matters-- even though it clearly does. The real questions is whether how, as a society, are willing to confront how it shapes us and shapes power dynamics within our society. It creates a system where power is hoarded, leaving the people without less able to change their circumstances.
Hello, Kaden! I agree money is a major power, and it influences a person's belief and personal opinions. Your blog perfectly describes the connection money has over our lives, and the opportunities that money can bring. the phrase as you mentioned "Money can't buy happiness" is a phrase I have often heard of too, but claims on it is sometimes weak as many people don't believe that this exists. Many people thinks of money as their source of happiness, like those posts or reels where they express that they might as well be sad and rich rather than happy and poor. This one particularly caught my attention and I remember pondering on it for quite some time. If someone is poor yet happy how is it that their happy? if they cannot afford food for the next meal? there must be some sort of tension at least. Or sad yet rich, I do understand that yes they can be sad and cannot really 'buy money', but they have the power and more opportunities as well as the chances of being happy than the poor one. Even throughout history, most the time the rich were able to rule over a piece of land or get their favors done through money and that is what I think money as a power would be like. I truly enjoyed reading your blog, and I hope to read more of them throughout this semester!
ReplyDeleteHello, Kaden! I have also always heard growing up that money is not everything, that happiness is not directly correlated to monetary gain. However, I completely agree with you in the fact that the role that money plays in controlling one’s livelihood and societal status is essential. Indeed, as you mentioned yourself, it affects so many aspects of life including education, healthcare, housing, and even the ability to advocate for yourself. The difference between those with wealth and those without can only be described as vast with the stress of financial insecurity overshadowing the joys of life that contribute to one’s happiness, such as that which is found in relationships or personal passions. What stands out to me most is how this power dynamic is not just about one’s own wealth, though, but that of the broader societal systems that perpetuate such wealth. An example of this is the concept of generational wealth, a factor that only widens the divide between the upper and lower classes over time. Families who have substantial money have the means to pass down resources, education, and connections, which results in a cycle of privilege. Meanwhile, those in poverty continue to strive to make ends meet, unable to break their own respective cycle of being unable to gain wealth. At the end of the day, it’s not just about having money, but about having access to opportunities that allow you to continue growing wealth, which in turn secures happiness. This brings me back to your original point about money not guaranteeing happiness. The truth is that money undeniably creates the conditions under which happiness can be pursued. So, while it may not be able to buy happiness in a traditional sense, monetary gain is clearly what makes the world go round in allowing us to enjoy our lives as we know it.
ReplyDeleteHello, Kaden! I think you brought up a very interesting point, which is that wealth controls the amount of accessible resources one may or may not have in life. I agree with you that wealth and financial comfort in general definitely plays a role when discussing power dynamics in American society. I liked how you included that those who are not wealthy are "left voiceless," as evidently history has proven that those who are ultra-wealthy can impact political roles and/or dictate the media. Those who are exceedingly wealthy usually have large platforms as well, where they voice their opinions, leaving the opinions of those less-fortunate to be overshadowed. This blog was well-written and interesting, keep it up!
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