This sounds like the same thing credit card companies who target young teenagers and college kids to get them hooked into impulse spending and rack up large sums of debt.
I think you have your causation all messed up. We're immersed in a culture of "keeping up with the Jones'" impulse spending. Credit cards are a just tool to fulfill that desire.
Really, what do credit card companies do besides set up a booth on campus, saying, "Want a card?", and kids line up around the block?
Really, what do credit card companies do besides set up a booth on campus, saying, "Want a card?", and kids line up around the block?