Positive effects of consumer education in the society – Consumer education is pivotal within the buying society. Consumers are informed on how to make better buying decisions that directly affect the functioning of the economy. Consumer education has become more relevant due to the rapid growth of products in the market.
The act of buying, if done wisely and judiciously can promote certain positive effects and values in the society which is beneficial to consumers and all sectors of the society in general. These positive effects have the potential to contribute to the promotion of fair, just and equitable economic and social system.
The aim and objective of consumer education is to guide consumers to acquire knowledge and skills, link them to appropriate behavior for safe consumer life. Consumer education also has an aspect as an activity of fostering people capable of coming forward to play a key role in society and contribute to its growth.
The Positive Effects of Consumer Education in the Society
Proper money management
All consumers have different means of earning incomes because they belong to different sectors such as government workers (civil servants), business people, traders or investors. The hard earned income should give consumers satisfaction for their needs. These incomes give consumers adequate purchasing powers and as such, should have adequate values.
Therefor, one of the positive effects of consumer education in the society is proper money management. Knowledge and information from consumer education helps consumers to avoid wasteful and indiscriminate purchases thereby giving them value for their hard- earned incomes.
ValueforPeople
All responsible consumers must ensure that their consumption patterns and lifestyle do not contribute to the economic exploitation and oppression that disregard human values. For example, industries should not cause pollution to the environment, manufacturers should not indulge in child labor. If this happens, consumers should boycott the purchase and use of products from such manufacturers.
ValueforEnvironment
Through consumer education, all consumers become aware that human activities are the cause of environmental degradation. With this knowledge, consumers avoid activities that may constitute danger to the environment.
ValueforDemocracy
All consumers are an integral part of civil society. As members of the civil society, consumers give mandate to members of civil society through the process of election to govern them. Consumers as citizens of the society, have right to government services. Knowledge of consumer education helps them to ensure that such services are responsible, transparent and accountable. Value for democracy is only possible if consumers as citizens play their role with great responsibility.
ValueforJustice
All civilized society should ensure rule of law, justice and peace. Consumers in the society have a role to ensure value for justice. Justice must prevail for all categories of consumers (investors, traders etc.). The knowledge and information from consumer education guides all consumers on how to obtain justice for inadequate or substandard purchases and services.
