The Affluenza Epidemic

The Ethan Couch case won't go away.  Those who live outside the DFW Metroplex might not be familiar with Ethan Couch, so let me fill in the blanks.  Ethan was sixteen years old when he killed four people.  An hour before the accident Ethan stole two cases of beer from a Walmart.  At the time of the crash he was driving his dad's Ford F350 pick-up with seven friends along for the ride.  His blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit when he plowed into a disabled vehicle on a dark two-lane road.  The driver of the disabled vehicle, along with three bystanders who had stopped to help, were all killed.  One of those murdered by Ethan Couch was youth minister, Brian Jennings, who was on his way home from his son's high school graduation. Ethan and all his companions survived even though none were wearing seat belts.

The story does not end there.  During the trial a psychologist, testifying for the defense, stated that Ethan Couch was a victim of "affluenza."  In other words, he had been raised in a wealthy environment that had blinded him to the consequence of his behavior.  So was born a new term.  Affluenza: The inability to understand the consequences of ones actions because of financial privilege.  Ethan Couch was found guilty, but was not sentenced to jail.  Instead he was sent to a rehab program.  The accident was over eighteen months ago, and Ethan Couch is still in rehab.   This week it was announced that he has been moved to a ranch for troubled youth in West Texas. 

It's ironic that I first heard the latest chapter of this story today while driving on the Dallas North Tollway.  I have often referred to this highway as the "BMW Freeway."  For the wealthy residents of Collin Country (Frisco and Plano), it is their link to the city.  Today it was not just "Beamers," but Jaguars, a Porsche and yes a Ferrari.  The speed limit on the DNT is 70 but all of the them were exceeding it by a least 15 MPH.  An old man like me, who drives the speed limit in the center lane, feels at risk.  I view it as another example of "Affluenza."  I don't think any of those drivers have given a thought to the consequence should something, or someone get in their way.  I've driven by the scene of a few of those crashes.  It's not pretty.

But then, I should know something about Affluenza.  I have been infected with it too.  While perhaps not to the extent of Ethan Couch, if we live a typical American middle or upper class lifestyle we probably daily make decisions without thinking of the consequences.  It might be a simple thing like using a Styrofoam cup instead of a mug that can he reused, or buying clothing made in a sweat shop in some Third World country. 

The truth is, "affluenza" is real and we need to think of the consequences.  The members of the millennial generation are watching us.  We might talk about their expensive taste or consumer driven lifestyle but the unfortunate truth is they learned it from us.  Maybe now is the time to begin to make some changes. It's not to late to stop the "Affluenza" epidemic.