on the cover: confessions of a shopaholic
continued from B1
Jewish stereotypes
from your family. It's great that parents want their
"Anyone can be a shopaholic; Jews do not have a
monopoly on that," Shulman said. Yet, "in our cul-
ture, there is probably is a little bit of higher preva-
lence of focus on money and material things than
average. Our people are particularly vulnerable by
not only American pressure, but also by cultural
Jewish pressure."
Shulman cites that Jews in America have wanted
to succeed educationally and monetarily, and that
there is added pressure to have those things and be
successful. Emphasis on money, status and material
things highlight success for us, he said. For some,
success has become a way to get love and approval
kids to do well, be educated and have a sweet fu-
ture, but nurturing and being emotionally affection-
ate are the more human ways to show love for a
child, Shulman said.
On the flip side, some Jews are labeled cheap,
thrifty and frugal — a bargain shopaholic.
"There's always a balance, and
I don't think we know about bal-
ance a lot in our culture," Shul-
man said. "Nobody likes being
mediocre or average."
Gabriella Ring, 15, is a sophomore at
High School.
T2 T s ta ff p ho to by Ga bri e l la Ring
Berkley
causes of teen shopaholism
• Peer pressure: We use material things to impress each
other, from fashion items to technology staples like the
latest iPod, cell phone or computer. Long gone are the
days when we 'used to have fun playing in the back yard,"
said expert Terrence Shulman of Southfield. Now we feel a
need to have everything and rack up a bill for it.
Jordyn Dresner scouts for bargains.
"Society has been out of whack for a while," said
Shulman, who is listed in the credits for the Shopa-
holic movie. Advertising and online spending fuel
the increase. In addition, we want to emulate the
"lifestyles of the rich and famous."
Kids are growing up too quickly, Shulman said,
and are not "learning how to enjoy the basic plea-
sures of life."
He believes teens' need for status, fitting in, be-
ing the best and looking the best have taken over
our lives. "Culture has cultivated it," he said.
• Low self-esteem: People with low self-esteem are insecure
with who they are and feel they need to have the latest
"thing" to be liked. They are buying love and approval,
Shulman said, and that is unacceptable.
•Culture: "We live in a highly materialistic society," Shulman
said. Media bombard us harder than before with images
of "perfect" celebrities, and we feel like we have to look a
certain way to feel "cool."
• Difficult emotional times: Teens may become "overly
preoccupied with accumulating things as a away to distract
themselves from the emotional pain or dysfunction that's
Melanie Rosen, 15, of Oak Park loves shopping.
all contain similar biological and emotional triggers.
That distraction fills a void for a teen. Instead of searching
for the root cause of their spending, they continue to fill their
emptiness with material things, becoming stuck in a never-
ending, self-destructive cycle.
A child that shops too much may be crying out for help.
going on in the family," Shulman said. Shopping is just one
Many times, parents are only concerned with detecting alco-
way to channel that distraction. Emotional eating, using al-
hol or drug abuse and sexual behavior. Shopaholism should
cohol and drugs, acting out sexually, gambling or shoplifting
rank high on the alert list.
Maccabiah 2009
by Gabriella Ring
competing in Israel
Brothers to chase running passion at Maccabiah.
Chad and Jason Mahakian of Farmington Hills have been se-
Racing against people from different countries and sim-
lected to participate in Israel's 18th Maccabiah Games July
ply spending "time in Israel learning about the heritage and
13-23. Jason, 19, will compete with the half-marathon team;
culture" excites Chad most about the games. "It's a great
Chad, 23, will compete on the triathlon team (triathletes run,
opportunity," he said.
swim and cycle).
Jason is a sophomore at the University of Michigan in
Ann Arbor. Chad recently graduated from Western Michigan
University in Kalamazoo.
"Competing among my people in Israel is going to be a
great experience," Jason said.
The pair must collectively raise $6,000 for airfare and
accommodations by April 1. To help them reach their goal,
The brothers, along with the U.S. team under Maccabi
donation checks made out to Maccabi USA can be sent to
USA/Sports for Israel, will arrive in Israel early on July 2 to
Chad Mahakian, 30780 Mystic Forest, Farmington Hills, MI
"further experience the culture, adjust to the temperature
48331, or visit www.maccabiusa.com and click on the "do-
[up to 104 degrees] and spend time learning more about
nate" button. Enter either Jason or Chad Mahakian as the
our heritage," they wrote to family and friends by e-mail.
athlete.
Both Mahakians began their passion for running at Walled
The brothers will be blogging about
Lake Western High School. Chad competed for his track and
their training and the actual competition
cross-country teams as a junior. Jason ran competitively
on their Web site, mahakianrunning.
starting freshman year. After high school, both focused on
com .
Chad and
fields that dealt with running. Chad wants to work as an
Gabriella Ring, 15, Is a sophomore at
Jason
exercise physiologist. Jason follows a more artistic path in
Berkley High School.
Mahakian '
B2 teen2teen March • 2009
graphic design, creating logos for a running corporation.
visit JNt2t.com