All those big corporations really are evil.
Born to Buy: The Commercialized Child and the New Consumer Culture
by Juliet B. Schor
This book has made me realize the evils of marketing and advertising are even worse than I had imagined (mostly because I try not to dwell on them). I was shocked to read about the studies showing negative impact of advertising on kids that are just being ignored by politicians and even educators. Josh and I didn't need any more evidence of the benefits of homeschooling, but this book provided more. Compulsory schooling is forcing our kids to attend schools that allow marketing agencies in (for a fee, of course) to insinuate themselves into kids' lives. And that doesn't even count programming like Channel One (which I'm sorry to say was in my high school though I only remember watching it a few times).
Josh and I aren't big into brands and don't even watch a lot of movies or TV, but reading this book has opened my eyes to some of the "advertising" we've allowed in without even realizing it (examples: the Oreo cookie game, Cheerios books, Elmo clothes, and all the clothes with brand names like Old Navy). I don't think we're going to get rid of them altogether (seriously, the Lightining McQueen toothpaste has changed toothbrushing in our home much for the better), but some things will find their way out the door never to return and much more will never make it home.
Especially if you are considering sending your kids to public schools (and perhaps even private or parochial ones), read this book (or one like it).
[Update: Apparently, there can be good in advertising.]
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