affluenza etymology

Etymology:

• affluent + -ia (-ia, suffix indicating a condition)
• affluent (Latin):
  • Adjective: wealthy, rich
  • Noun: rich person

Meaning:

• A psychological condition in which a person from a privileged background exhibits a lack of empathy, entitlement, and a disregard for the consequences of their actions.

Origin:

The term "affluenza" was first coined and used in the 1950s by sociologist Robert Merton to describe the negative effects of wealth on a person's character and values. He argued that excessive wealth could lead to feelings of superiority, a sense of entitlement, and a belief that the rules of society do not apply to them.

In 1997, the term gained widespread attention when it was used as a defense in a criminal trial in Texas. A wealthy teenager, Ethan Couch, was convicted of killing four people while driving drunk. The defense argued that Couch suffered from affluenza, which prevented him from understanding the consequences of his actions. The jury accepted this defense, and Couch was sentenced to 10 years of probation instead of prison.

The Texas case sparked a national debate about whether affluenza is a legitimate psychological condition and whether it should be used as a defense in criminal cases. Critics argue that it is a thinly veiled excuse for wealthy individuals to avoid accountability for their actions.

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