It is acceptable to own things, especially when they are essential to survival. Things like food, shelter, water, or clothing are good to have, but when people impulsively buy everything they see, that's when they should take a step back and think about their lives, and why they have so many things just to be happy. “Researchers believe that obtaining happiness through objects is materialism (Clark).” Everyone owns things and whether it's a phone or a favorite toy, we all have them, but materialism is a growing problem due to hoarding, obsession and distraction . Materialism is not a new thing; it is found on television, in magazines and in advertisements. Hoarding has TV shows dedicated to it. For example, Hoarders is a show about houses filled with random trash, which most people would have thrown away. TV collectors are too attached and constantly need new things. “The reason they need new things is because when a person buys an item, its new value only stays for six to twelve weeks before people get used to it (Clark).” This object then becomes the new standard and loses its new purchasing value. People get bored and move on to another new item. They don't want to get rid of their stuff, but they never use it. Hoarding affects people when they succumb to the idea that only their stuff can bring them happiness. This is why many people on Hoarders live alone and their family doesn't visit them. To avoid hoarding, people should prioritize experiences over new items. “When people buy experiences, the happy memories they get from them last longer than the sensation of a new object (Clark). » People can't resist buying something because... middle of paper... can visit them because the collectors' houses are completely full and cluttered. Materialistic children develop psychological problems when their parents give them everything they ask for because they have never learned the value of earning something or being able to care about anything other than themselves. Works Cited Rosenbloom, Stephanie. “But will it make you happy?” New York Times[New York] August 7, 2010, n. page. Internet. November 18, 2013..Clark, Josh. “What makes people happier: objects or experiences?” How it works. NP, and Web. November 18, 2013.<http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/people-happier.htm>Levine, Madeline. “How Materialism Hurts Our Children.” Tikkun Magazine. June 23, 2009: n. page. Internet. November 18, 2013.< http://www.tikkun.org/article.php/Levine-materialismhurtsourkidsprivilege>.