It is a direct result of marketing by 3 Industries

Banks, Weddings, and Real Estate. Those 3 combined have made it the "American Dream" to buy a girl a fossilized carbon rock "worth" several times your monthly income, throw a big party at a cost exceeding most peoples yearly income, have 2.5 kids, and buy a home several times more than your yearly income

Anything less that massive debt and obtaining this "ideal" "American Dream" means your a loser