The US is the only industrialized country that does not regulate marketing to children.
The consumer marketing industry says it is the parents' job to monitor what their children watch, buy, and eat. That's true. But when a five-year-old child swears that Sponge Bob macaroni and cheese tastes better than any other macaroni and cheese, even when she hasn't actually tasted it, something is out of balance.
When we are having to make bigger car seats for children because so many children are obese, something has gone off track.
When depression and anxiety medication is being prescribed for 8 million children every year, we are truly in trouble.
For an in-depth look at this massive issue, please watch the following first of seven parts of the "Consuming Kids" documentary.
In the absence of any will in Congress to do what needs to be done, which is restore power to the FTC to regulate as appropriate, parents must be the frontline. I have little sympathy for parents who keep a tv on at all hours, cannot refrain from purchasing what they cannot afford, give in to every child's demand, etc. Parents' own habits are the models for their children. I'd like to think there could be a cultural and moral and educational shift in behavior but I don't see it happening in my lifetime.
ReplyDeleteIt's no longer enough just to keep talking about this issue.
Maureen ... you are absolutely right and the question I'm going to explore is what action to take.
ReplyDeleteJoyce,
ReplyDeleteI agree that this is a huge issue in the country. One that clearly needs attention. In the K-8 school here, there are "Got Milk" posters all over the gym/cafeteria. They feature beautiful, athletes and movie stars. That has always bothered me.
Dan
This is truly powerful Joyce. Like Maureen, I do not understand how parents can leave the tv to mind their children and then wonder what happened to their children. Hello? We are the problem. Not our children, when we do not model our best.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your continued insights.
Louise