Childhood is seen by many as a period of protection for the development of our youth. It is an important social investment in our future. For example, we have laws against child abuse and child labor. Because of this one might assume that corporate America also would have the best interests of our youth at heart.
Surprise, surprise. This may not be so. Indeed, in the process of questioning the politics of the free market system, experts on the development of youth have begun to question the impact of a money-driven economy on the well being of children (Giroux,2009; Shor, 2005). Rather than a culture of protection, these writers report that the culture for children has been corrupted by rampant commercialism and consumption where children have become a commodity.
For example, the United States is now reported to be the most violent country in the industrialized world, leading the world in homocides, rapes and assaults. The TV guide reports that a violent incident is shown on television, on the average, every six minutes. The number of violent acts depicted on television has tripled since the deregulation of the industry. In a national survey of teachers, 91% of the responding teachers reported an increased violence among children in their classrooms as a result of cross-media marketing of violent cartoons, toys, videos, and other licensed products (National Association of the Education of Young Children, 1998).
This research was a wake up call in 1998. Now we can see the impact of money driven policies on our society and children much more clearly. Crises signal danger. It also creates opportunity because it mobilizes people make a shift. It is most effective when we use our awareness to reclaim our power and take action right where we are, one moment at a time. We can look at what we want for our children and families.
If we complain about the negative, we continue to give it attention, and get more of the same. Far more powerful is to focus on the assets children need in order to grow up as healthy, responsible, and caring. We can turn off the TV, and spend time with our kids, whether it is listening, reading a book, or enjoying an evening meal. Spending time with children and grand children, has been shown to be one of the most fundamental sources of happiness. It is also our future.
Giroux, H. Youth in a Suspect Society: Beyond the Politics of Disposability, to be published by Palgrave Mcmillian in 2009.
Shor, Juliet. Born to Buy. New York: Schribner, 2005.
National Association of the Education of Young Children, NAEYC Position Statement on Violence
in the lives of children, 1998. http://www.naeyc.org.
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