THE PARADOX OF OSTENTATION: PSYCHOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC DYNAMICS OF IDENTITY-DRIVEN CONSUMPTION AMONG YOUTH AND THE MIDDLE CLASS

In a social context dominated by the culture of appearance and the spectacle of the self, the ostentation of wealth by middle-class individuals and young people emerges as an adaptive – yet potentially dysfunctional – response to dynamics of identity insecurity, perceived inequality and social pressure. This interdisciplinary contribution explores the psychological and economic motivations that drive individuals without substantial financial resources to engage in symbolic and ostentatious consumption behaviors. Drawing on classical (Veblen, Bourdieu) and contemporary theories (behavioral economics, self-psychology, signaling theory), and integrating reflections on the impact of digital media and popular music trends (especially rap and trap), the article highlights how the search for visibility and social recognition can lead to risky behaviors such as indebtedness, pursuit of "easy success" models (e.g., online trading), and the commodification of the body through sexual content platforms. The final reflections offer a critical interpretation of the phenomenon and emphasize the need for education aimed at substance, identity resilience and economic awareness.