The Moment and Place for a Special Issue

Journal of Consumer Research

These are more than interesting times. They are the times in which the ideology and practices of consumption have multiplied across the earth to levels of complexity, subtlety, and influence that were unimaginable just a few decades ago. The problems and challenges related to consumer behav- iors today include, but are not restricted to, unhealthy eating, effective and safe use of the Internet, substance abuse (e.g., alcohol, drugs), tobacco consumption, poor financial plan- ning, aging and being elderly, disablements and impair- ments, indigence and illiteracy, education and socialization of young consumers, sexually transmitted diseases, and en- vironmental deterioration. At the same time, many consumer behaviors support and enhance life. These include, but are not limited to, hobbies, exercise, festivals and celebrations, sustainable consumption behaviors (e.g., efficient water use, recycling), donations and communal consumption, and an array of artistic endeavors (e.g., music, painting). Over the years, unfortunately, the field of consumer research has gen- erally underprioritized scholarship for alleviating problems and advancing opportunities of well-being. Related contri- butions from the Journal of Consumer Research ( JCR) have been correspondingly irregular.