“Unsustainable,” about the pressures of materialism and shifting definitions of “normal,” resonated deeply with our readers
That is very real for many families and deserves the serious attention it is receiving.
I wanted to add an observation from out-of-town communities such as Cincinnati, where the day-to-day reality around these issues is noticeably different, not because people here are immune to desire or aspiration, but because the communal norms are almost the opposite of what is described in the article.
The differences show up in ordinary, almost unremarkable ways. A bar mitzvah is typically a Shabbos kiddush in shul, with sometimes a simple weekday seudah at home or in the shul for classmates. That is understood as complete. There is no sense that anything is missing. Children come, enjoy, and move on. Simchah is measured by warmth, not production.
Cars are chosen thoughtfully. It is common for people to ask guidance about what to buy, even when they could afford more. The question is often about fit and appropriateness, not image. One sees plenty of older cars, well-maintained, driven without apology. The parking lot does not silently announce who is “doing well.”
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