American Culture TV Consumed by Term Paper

Total Length: 1105 words ( 4 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 3

Page 1 of 4

Food advertising is even worse, because while a parent might be able to avoid the toy store, in the grocery store he or she is subject to food masquerading as a toy. The only possible resistance is not taking the child shopping, which forces the parent to deprive the child of a parent-bonding experience where he or she could teach the child about budgeting and nutritional food.

The AAP study also notes that advertisers are aware that children and adolescents are more susceptible to advertisements for unnecessary goods, thus they are more often the targets of product placement ads ("Children, Adolescents, and Advertising,"AAP, 2006). Then, once consumption patterns are established early on in life, they can be difficult to eradicate. "By the time we reach adulthood, unhealthy food practices can be embedded in our subconscious mind and we must work hard to overcome these ingrained behaviors. Since rooting out bad habits is so difficult, the key for our children is to foster healthy habits as they grow up" (Topel 2004).

To advertisers: "Children represent three different markets...the direct money that children spend and the money they influence....and...the future market.
Advertisers recognize that brand loyalties and consumer habits formed when children are young and vulnerable will be carried through to adulthood. According to the CEO of Prism Communications, 'they aren't children so much as what I like to call 'evolving consumers'" (Beder 1998). Because of this attitude, the AAP, in summary, advocates that advertising to children should be banned ("Children, Adolescents, and Advertising,"AAP, 2006). This raises First Amendment freedom of speech issues, however, and may not be legally feasible even though it may address the causes of the spiraling children's obesity epidemic.

Another solution, instead, is to merely ban television from one's own home and to reinstate the family meal as an institution. Do not buy food masquerading as toys, like the Dora the Explorer cereal. Explore methods of engaging children's developing intellectual and critical faculties rather than turning on so-called educational programming. Teach children to cook a meal and budget for the week, not to nag parents to buy brightly colored food in boxes. Encourage children to explore the world outdoors rather than to watch a television show called Dora the Explorer.

Works.....

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"American Culture TV Consumed By" (2007, September 25) Retrieved April 30, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/american-culture-tv-consumed-35583

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"American Culture TV Consumed By" 25 September 2007. Web.30 April. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/american-culture-tv-consumed-35583>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"American Culture TV Consumed By", 25 September 2007, Accessed.30 April. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/american-culture-tv-consumed-35583