There's no question that the biggest forum for advertisement is Television. Whether it's cable or local, children or adult oriented, late night or prime time, there are no channels that don't incorporate some type of advertisement into their programming. (please forgive the double-negative.)
That said, I have to complain about everyone who whines about "poor role models" and "malicious advertising." I've been reading way too many blogs that say "the PussyCat Dolls turned my baby into a slut!" and "My child just won't leave me alone about those Bratz dolls" or "Disney channel has too much adult-humor." It seems that most arguments that follow this similar agenda discuss TV as a poor source for our children.
As I've said in previous posts, I grew up watching television. A lot of television. Luckily, I turned out okay...
Now, I don't have a television. I hardly listen to the radio. And guess what? I'm exposed to far less advertising and media biases than I could have ever realized.
While at work, I often use my pocket change to get a bag of M&Ms from the vending machine. I've been trying to find a clever, personalized gift for someone, and I remembered hearing that M&Ms sells personalized candies. I checked the website,mms.com (sorry, I know it's a little hypocritical of me to advertise for them, ha), and I got to browsing a bit.
Did you know that M&Ms makes Dark Chocolate candies? I'm sure you do, because they probably advertise on TV. I was ecstatic to find out, and I can't believe I've been living my life without bite-sized dark chocolate candies.
Anyway, I digress. My point is that had I not gotten curious, I would have never known about this product that is probably otherwise blatantly advertised to children of all ages on all channels on television.
If you want your kids to grow up right, read them books instead of letting them watch TV, which is 80% advertising and 20% actual original programming (estimation from a report I did in high school). Barbies are not the problem... you, as a parent, are. The good people at Barbie Inc. are not responsible for your child's future, you are.
Companies are not going to stop advertising because a few parents whine that they're children are being exposed to things they shouldn't be exposed to. Stop whining, get your kid off the couch, and play "catch" with them. Tell the babysitter "no TV." She'll listen.
It isn't hard to be a positive role model to your child. It isn't hard to make them stop asking for dark chocolate M&Ms because they saw them on TV. Just get off your ass and start taking some responsibility.
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Good blog. Too many people are too eager to cast the blame away from themselves and remain irresponsible parents. T.V. isn't the problem.
Thanks.
I wish we could give out a mandatory test to those who want children-- and that they're baby-producing organs wouldn't work until they passed that test.
But I guess then we'd have a lot more promiscuous children... but when you think about it, the parents would be responsible enough to teach they're children right and wrong, and there would be no issue.
Oh, the joys of idiot parenthood.
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http://progressiveu.org/143541-how-to-survive-the-2008-elections
Excellent point. The blame game is getting old - "I got fat because of McDonalds," "My child is fat because his school feeds him/her bad food," "My daughter is pregnant because of Britney Spears."
Come on. Parents have the biggest influence in their child's life so they need to be a good role model. Also, they need to realize that it is their job to raise their child & teach them values; no one elses.
I know!
I grew up with Barbies, but I also grow up with my parents telling me I was beautiful and that Barbie is an unrealistic image of a woman. I knew that real women don't look like that; real women know how to camp and hike and hunt and fish (although I don't really do the latter two anymore, heh).
Hell, I just inherited all my grandma's barbie dolls: still packaged, skinny, blonde, elaborately dressed, and I don't think "Why can't I have an evening gown like that to fit my 36DDD boobs and 20 inch waste?!" and I never thought that growing up.
Make your child believe in reality and she will. But if you leave raising her to Disney Princesses, Barbie dolls, and the thirteen year old babysitter from down the street, she's going to idolize perfection.
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http://progressiveu.org/143541-how-to-survive-the-2008-elections
Parents should also be responsible for telling their children that eating dark chocolate M&Ms is fine, once in a while.
Read my blog!
Yes, as long as there is balance.
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this is war. every line is about who i don't wanna write about anymore. [Brand New]
http://progressiveu.org/143541-how-to-survive-the-2008-elections