Best Quote by Arlie Russell Hochschild
“We don't live with the community of yesteryear. And we don't enjoy the public services Europeans do. So we turn to the market. Once we do, we find that service providers raise the standards of personal life, so that we come to feel we need them to live our 'best' personal lives.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Managed Heart, 1983
Market‑driven services reshape personal standards, making people feel dependent on consumer goods for a fulfilling life.
In simple terms: Consumer culture raises personal expectations and dependence.
Key Takeaway
Question reliance on market for wellbeing.
Themes
consumerism
societal change
personal standards
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
sociological
critical
When to use this quote
- advertising
- urban living
- policy debates
Key Concepts
materialism
social dependence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does consumerism affect personal happiness?
- Can we find fulfillment beyond market goods?
A Different Perspective
Market solutions may erode community support.
