Affluenza is a social condition arising from the desire to be more wealthy and successful. It is arguably present in the United States, where the culture is one that prides itself on possessions and financial success.
Mainstream media outlets, such as television broadcasts, tend to show how pervasive the idea has become. Following, we will watch a few videos concerning the legal case of Ethan Couch. The case of a rich Texas teenager who received probation but no jail time after killing four people in a drunk driving car crash in June has sparked a new debate about money, power, and punishment after the teen's defense team argued he was the victim of "affluenza," or the failure of his wealthy parents to set boundaries.
The Judge (Jean Boyd) sentenced Couch to 10 years' probation instead of the 20-year prison sentence that prosecutors had asked for. Why was his sentence so lenient? Well, the trial psychologist G. Dick Miller claimed that Couch is himself a victim -- of "affluenza" , suggesting the teen's life could be turned around with treatment and no contact with his parents. Miller told the court the teen's parents should share part of the blame for the crash because they never set limits for the boy and gave him everything he wanted.
'Affluenza': Is it real? A judge, at least in part, appears to have agreed.Couch was given no jail time, though he could face up to 10 years behind bars if he violates the terms of his probation. Prosecutors had asked for the maximum of 20 years.The judge's decision stunned victims' family members, who say they feel Couch basically got away with murder.
"Let's face it. ... There needs to be some justice here," Eric Boyles, who lost his wife and daughter, told "Anderson Cooper .
"On the night of June 15, his wife, Hollie Boyles, and daughter, Shelby, left their home to help Breanna Mitchell, whose SUV had broken down. Brian Jennings, a youth pastor, was driving past and also stopped to help.All four were killed when the teen's pickup plowed into the pedestrians on a road in Burleson, south of Fort Worth. Couch's vehicle also struck a parked car, which then slid into another vehicle headed in the opposite direction.Two people riding in the bed of the teen's pickup were tossed in the crash and severely injured. One is no longer able to move or talk because of a brain injury, while the other suffered internal injuries and broken bones.
According to prosecutors, three hours after the crash, tests showed Couch had a blood alcohol content of 0.24, three times the legal limit.
"There are absolutely no consequences for what occurred that day," said Boyles.
"The primary message has to absolutely be that money and privilege can't buy justice in this country -- that it's not OK to drink and drive and kill four people ... and not have any consequences to that. That's not the American dream that we grew up to participate in.
"Couch was sentenced by a juvenile judge Tuesday. Judge Jean Boyd told the court she would not release the teen to his parents, but would work to find Couch a long-term treatment facility.
