When it comes to the idea of building healthy habits and self-esteem, I am often skeptical of various approaches. I am also not a fan of completely blaming the media and advertising for their role in their manipulations as, we need to take at least some responsibility for our own actions and, the supply based on what we demand.
Today I was looking in a toy shop for some magnetic numbers for our daughter and even though numbers were not available, these were:
There were several facings of options on the shelf. It seems, numbers are of less importance than this nonsense. My daughter is 21 months old and is playing with a magnetic board with letters so, how old is the target of this? 16?
The issue is that parents must be buying these types of 'toys' for their children yet expect them not to be influenced. Our daughter recognises numbers to 10 and recognises about half the alphabet, kids soak in any information presented to them.
The problem isn't in the selling of it, companies are only interested in making money. It is in the buying of it. Who demands this kind of thing for their child?
We program our children from birth to become consumers of what we feed them, whether that be food, clothing, religions or our prejudices. The toys we give them shape their thinking and how they interact with the world and this provides their experience of that world.
Is it really a wonder why people are becoming more materialistic when one can't find magnetic numbers for a child but can find this nonsense with no value whatsoever? Let alone the concepts of sexualization of minors and stereotyping. At least Barbi was past age of consent... where is the line these days?
You are what you eat. Feed a kid trash...
Taraz
[ a Steemit original ]
I think we do have to take responsibility of the 'demand' forces that we bring to the market. Then there is another level of depth to it. People demand things not just by their need. Demand is based on a combination of factors of requirement, fashion, affordability. The giants sitting in the so called free market know how to affect these forces to bring about the best outcome for their bottom-line.
Still there is no escaping the responsibility on our shoulders because nobody is directly forcing us to buy anything. The fact that rubbish is selling hotter than important educational stuff is one of the many choices made by us that has brought this to the market.
This I totally agree with you, children spend 90% of their time learning from everything and everyone around them. I see no values in toys which can’t impact the basic needed knowledge by the kids.
Oh man, if this bothers you, don't go looking for dressup games on the internet.
There's clearly a very large demographic who finds dressing up dolls to be fascinating. I don't understand them, but I don't understand the people playing online slots or find-the-hidden-object games either.
Are these for 2 year olds? This was Toys R Us. It isn't just the weird factor, it is what people think is a worthy toy of a child.
I agree with you on this. There are many things wrong with this toy. If anything, exposing young impressionable girls to this dress me up nonsense should be avoided. Dressing up comes naturally to most girls, which is why marketers seek to utilize this drive to the fullest. Female status competition by dress up feeds on unnecessary wants and is antithetical to their own peace of mind. We live in an age of information overload and manipulation galore. Clarity and peace of mind are treasures ever more difficult to attain in this time.
It comes naturally to most so why would a parent encourage forcing it at ever younger ages?
It is not forced. When a little girl sees a set like that, she will probably want it. It takes effort on part of the parent to say no - not to mention to realize there is a problem with it in the first place.
I have to commend your effort here, you mean the girl is just 21 months old and she can do all that? Wow! This is just wow!
Parents has a lots of role to play in checking through what their children are exposed to, we don't just buy things just for buying sake, we have to see what value it add to them
Our world is what it is today because a lot of parents are failing in this their primary responsibilities.
Your daughter must be lucky to have you as her father... Smile
Yeah, she is really good at some things.
This is just too amazing. My regards to her.... Smile
You'll soon realize parents are giving their daughters bikini tops while going to a pool or sea. Why? The chests of children, boys or girls, are exactly the same. It's the adults who give a different meaning to those chests.
I'm really really saddened by the sexualisation of girls and the toys they are supposed to play with.
It is quite strange really and at the same time, there are more creepy folk in the world too. I would say that there are quite a lot of connections between the two types of events.
Good job mate. Kids are like PC's, what you put in is what you'll get out. People seem to be happy with surrounding their kids with trash from any age and then wonder why certain issues arise? The "how the f.ck did that happen" syndrome I call it, when in fact you are what happens to your child.
It's as if people have just given up on being clear thinking, logical and caring parents. I don't want to carry on as I get very angry that so many people will keep supporting this kind of rubbish and so we'll see more and more of it.
Program them young, make them obsolete adults.
Sickening isn't it? Makes me so mad that children are so exploited by disgusting types that don't even live in your home, but the parents should be fighting this tooth and nail.
Its the world we live in unfortunately - the stuff that shows on TV these days and children are watching is awful, and children soak everything in and moulds their view of the world.
Gender steroetypes are so ingrained in children - when I was teaching early childhood and said my favorite color was pink id often get stares from children and even comments such as 'boys cant like pink'. Best thing to do is to encourage children to be be whatever they want to be and not give in to society and its stereotypes
My daughter is yet to see a screen to watch any of it. She is going to be an analogue child for as long as possible.
Great. We are going to do the same when we have children - they dont need screens its to much stimulation for their developing brains
If there is no demand, there will be no supply. Parents who buy such rubbish are the reason why we seem to be raising a 'confused' generation of millenias. Confused in the sense that many have been fed years of garbage infirmation and are now in need of a serious detox
Yeah, I don't think many parent's actually think too much through what they give their children.
According to what you say, @tarazkp. You've put your finger on the sore spot. It is true that there is an industry that promotes behavior and fashion, but what role are parents playing? We have forgotten our fundamental role than that of guiding. I have seen with great concern how girls are dressed like adult women, put on makeup and even dress the same way. Early sexualization is a very dangerous weapon. We have to look at ourselves because part of the blame for having a macho society lies with ourselves.
This is the thing isn't it? Parents need to become parents again and stop letting culture raise their children.
Hi Taraz. Quite scary when you think of it. Where are the simple educational tools that I had for my children 20 odd years ago? I had kids when I was young. That doll with magnetic clothes or whatever it is I would suggest is for a 10 year old or so. What would I know. I have a grandson now so will no doubt discover what you are finding out and will be careful what I purchase. At least it's not a hentai drawing lol.
Yeah, what 10 year old plays with magnetic boards though?
Yet.
I don't know. Suppose I need to get back thinking like a kid again. Older boys are easier to get stuff for. My nephews are simple cars and more cars. Drones next maybe.
The society norms has changed negatively and the government and parent don't even care to resist and denounce such degrading sexualization toys that add no value to our children upbringing . I don't see where such kind of nonsense toy can help our children mentally, instead it will aid in destroying their morals. Parents should stop buying and patronizing such rubbish toys .
This is just nonsense. I even saw on a cartoon TV network, showing children in a sexual way. I really don't understand where all these are coming from. Its heart breaking.
It lays in the hands of parents to teach their children or a child in the way he or she should go before peer pressure pops in. Parents should take good note.
It's wrong.
How do we stop it ?
These is the question but trust me there no answer, you can only try your best to shield and bring up your in tge way you assume right. The world has various definitions for Right.
Don't buy it.
If all of these is not taken care of, I wonder what lesson our new generation will imbibe. God help us
Hello friend, That's right, children are like a sponge that absorb everything that surrounds them, food, toys. and bad or good habits of their environment. On our part, it is giving you good or bad influences. Many companies say that this type of toy is best for a child or that is healthy but they only care that their toy is sold and raise money. since at the end of everything it is a company and its objective is to generate money. regards
Parents have the greatest responsibility for the upbringing of our children. Your education, your food, your toys and all the stuff in which your child grew up depends on you. It will depend on us to teach them the good and the bad and that society does not corrupt them
The market will only supply what people buy .
Parenting has become big business . And the people allowed it to happen . From the welfare system for being paid on the number of children you have to the store you by food at (marketing) . You are a bad parent if you do not provide your child with the newest items . cell phone at 8 years old . or allowing your child to dictating to you who they are at 5 years old . After all a 5 year old knows best and you should not only listen to them but obey them . ROFL Because you can't raise your child because it takes a village to do it . How many people are on that bandwagon .
Raising kids is hard , it takes commitment , self-sacrifice and nowhere does it take pacification or friendship .
My kids are grown and we have a great relationship , we talk everyday . But there have been many, ohhh shit Dads on the way home moments . LOL
Your girl is just 21 months old and she can do all that? How nice! O of non-SM-fold
We have a lot of roles to test whether parents are unveiled to their children, we can see what they have. Parents have failed in their primary responsibility.
resteem
Couldn't help laughing a bit... sorry. But you're in for a lot of grief raising a girl in these times. Wait till you get to Barbie or any other doll, with their little trashy outfits. And their houses. And their cars. It never ends...
You make an excellent point, but you will have to steel yourself as there is no escape. For now, you can choose her toys, but the moment she gets to kindergarten she'll see such toys and want them.
It was only a matter of time before the last of the innocent would be targeted for money by sexualising them, whatever the law may say about actually having sex with them.
All-pervasive Houellebecq-ian economics at work.