Americans Blame Ad Agencies, Media for Economic Crisis
Two-thirds of Americans (66%) believe ad agencies have at least some responsibility for the current economic crisis because they caused people to buy things they couldn’t afford, according to (pdf) findings from a Harris Interactive poll completed earlier this month.
Media Close Behind
The media is not far behind ad agencies when it comes to responsibility, the survey also found. Nearly three in five Americans (59%) say print media - such as newspapers and magazines - deserve at last some responsibility for the economic crisis, while 56% assign at least some of the blame to news and information websites.
Just more than half of Americans say talk shows on TV or radio (55%), cable news programs (54%) and network and local news programs (53%) all have at least some responsibility for the current economic crisis because they caused people to buy things they couldn’t afford, Harris said.
Nearly Half Blame Friends and Family
Though many Americans are quick to point the finger at the media and ad agencies, a significant number also are willing to look at those closer to home. Nearly half (46%) assign some of the blame for the economic crisis to their friends and family, though the majority of Americans (54%) still say their personal circle of influence bears no responsibility.
Age Divide Over Blame
The poll also found an age divide over who is to blame for the economic crisis, Harris reported. People ages 55+ are more likely to blame the five media categories and the advertising agencies. In contrast, those ages 18-34 are less likely to say these six groups have at least some responsibility and are more likely to blame their friends and family.
For example, three-quarters of the older age group (75%) say advertising agencies have at least some responsibility compared to three in five (60%) 18-34 year olds. When it comes to print media, two-thirds of those ages 55+ (67%) say they have at least some responsibility while just half of the younger age group (51%) say print media has at least some responsibility.
About the survey: This Harris Poll was conducted online within the US between March 31 and April 1, 2009 among 2,220 adults (ages 18+) who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel. Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population.
Wow…
This is bullshit. You know who is to blame? The individual. It is everyone’s individual responsibility to manage their finances. It pisses me off that ppl are blaming everyone and their mother, but not taking any responsibility on themselves. YOU know how much money you make, YOU know how much you can really afford to spend. It is YOUR fault for not sticking to those budgets.
I agree with Lauren. We will never get out of this mess until we get rid of this culture of blame and irresponsibility. Stop blaming everybody and spend the energy getting your own house in order and stop buying crap you don’t need - even if it is advertised. Or, continue being a victim and go buy 500 Sham Wows because Vince says you should.
In America people are pre-conditioned to be receptive to advertising from a very young age. In fact, most of the same advertisements pushed on kids in America is illegal in Europe.
Americans claim individualism and self responsibility, but the average American is just as dumb as the average anyone anywhere else, they have been brainwashed their whole lived and are not intelligent or educated enough to make their own decisions. Its like the playground, advertisers are like the bullies and the average kid does not have much of a chance. Its not about what people should do its about what they are capable of doing, and as this economic crisis shows, the limits of the average consumers capability to think rationally.