Consuming Kids: The Commercialization of Childhood Essay

The commercialization of childhood involves the issue about the marketing of products to children which has stirred different outcomes between individuals. The marketing atmosphere and environment in which children are growing today are different from the atmosphere through which their parents underwent as children. In 1983, corporations utilized over approximately US$100 million to advertising to children directly in the United States; however, it is currently estimated to use over US$17billion annually (Consuming Kids: The Commercialization of Childhood).

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For the longest time now, the marketing of products through children has been growing tremendously which on the other hand is leading to the marketing of products that are unhealthy to the children's welfare. In most of the occurrences, screen time has been the primary target following the different concerns raised by The American Academy of Paediatrics. Numerous corporates are using television channels, websites, film studios, radio stations, and have successfully managed to include "screen time" in the lives of the children (Linn 195).

According to the documentary video, "consuming kids," it delivers a vast collection of information regarding the commercialization of childhood (Consuming Kids: The Commercialization of Childhood). In its delivery, it focuses on different occurrences raging form the past to the present events covering the entire issue relating to marketing and children. For instance, there has been the operation of a relentless marketing machine now ensuring the sale of every commodity to the children and parents ranging from violent video games, junk foods, to other bogus products. The marketing of children is developing into the most powerful and profitable consumer demographics currently following the different advancement and developments.

However, it is essential to maintain a clear focus on the negative side of commercialization of childhood. As the film focus on the rapid growth of children marketing in the wake of deregulations, it delivers a view on how the marketers are using the different advances which have provided a similar concern to industry insiders, children's advocates, and the healthcare professionals. On the other hand, "consuming kids" maintains a clear focus on its aim to create awareness concerning the entire context of commercialization of childhood which delivers questions on the ethics of the practice and impacts it is delivering on the health and welfare of the children (Consuming Kids: The Commercialization of Childhood).

Conclusion

To sum everything up, children are entitled to an essential environment that maintains the promotion of their emotional, intellectual, social, and cognitive well-being. The health caregivers have to ensure they help the parents monitor and curb the exposure of children to the significant commercialization of children (Linn 196). The current culture is dominant being driven by marketers; however, is critical to maintaining substantial measures aimed to hinder the commercial exploitation of the children.

Works Cited

Consuming Kids: The Commercialization of Childhood. (2008): film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMaRsR7orTk

Linn, Susan. "The commercialization of childhood and children's well-being: What is the role of health care providers?" Paediatrics & child health 15.4 (2010): 195-197.