Fast Food Nation has a whole chapter on marketing and advertising and how powerful its effect on the mind is, especially when targeted at children. Children all over the world can recognize Ronald McDonald before they learn to speak.
When I one day have kids of my own, I hope I can instill good eating practices in them... I'm believe I'm going to have to insulate them from TV and the Intertubes though, for a little while, until I think they can figure out what they might want to do before McDonald's tells them what they want to do.
For the first 5 years of my daughter's life, she was only allowed to watch videos (Disney et al) and channels with no commercials, i.e. PBS, Sprout, Noggin. Further, the TV is only on during the weekend.
My older daughter is allowed to watch Discovery Channel and Animal Planet when her sister is around.
When she asks why I get to watch TV, I explain that like bedtime and beer, grown ups do things younger folk don't.
And we talk about what advertising is for.
I was part of an educational panel that illustrated certain points, like the fact that children under five can't distinguish between advertising (aimed at them directly) and the actual program.
Ad execs are smart as hell and have no morals. You can always spot kids who spend too much time watching TV when you're at the grocery store, can't you? They know jingles, product names, sizes and they want EVERYTHING. A lot of parents hate shopping with their kids...*giggle* Not me!
I have a ton of tips and ideas on this level, if you're interested...
I would love to hear it all. I'm not in a position to raise any kids now, but like dream kitchens and root cellars, it's nice to think about for the future. :)
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syntheid
no subject
Date: 2007-03-23 08:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-23 09:32 pm (UTC)Which means we should totally ban porn and violent video games because they'll warp impressionable young kids. :)
Tom
no subject
Date: 2007-03-23 09:35 pm (UTC)Good Advice
Date: 2007-03-24 05:12 am (UTC)They really don't wanna eat there.
Re: Good Advice
Date: 2007-03-24 02:16 pm (UTC)When I one day have kids of my own, I hope I can instill good eating practices in them... I'm believe I'm going to have to insulate them from TV and the Intertubes though, for a little while, until I think they can figure out what they might want to do before McDonald's tells them what they want to do.
Re: Good Advice
Date: 2007-03-27 02:33 pm (UTC)For the first 5 years of my daughter's life, she was only allowed to watch videos (Disney et al) and channels with no commercials, i.e. PBS, Sprout, Noggin. Further, the TV is only on during the weekend.
My older daughter is allowed to watch Discovery Channel and Animal Planet when her sister is around.
When she asks why I get to watch TV, I explain that like bedtime and beer, grown ups do things younger folk don't.
And we talk about what advertising is for.
I was part of an educational panel that illustrated certain points, like the fact that children under five can't distinguish between advertising (aimed at them directly) and the actual program.
Ad execs are smart as hell and have no morals. You can always spot kids who spend too much time watching TV when you're at the grocery store, can't you? They know jingles, product names, sizes and they want EVERYTHING. A lot of parents hate shopping with their kids...*giggle* Not me!
I have a ton of tips and ideas on this level, if you're interested...
Re: Good Advice
Date: 2007-03-27 02:52 pm (UTC)