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I think the two positions here are closer than we might think. While kids can (and do) certainly repeat their requests ad nauseum, it is the parents who ultimately make the purchasing decision. So, the parents are being marketed to via their kids. But, when parents buy Baby Einstein videos for their infants (who can't yet speak) the kids are not the ones being targeted; the parents are.
When hubby and I got our first dog, we thought, "PetSmart, PetCo, etc... are huge money-makers. People will spend tons of money on their pets!" Then, when we had our first child, we said, "BabiesRUs, Baby Depot, etc... are huge money-makers. People will spend tons of money on their kids!"
Where am I going with this?? I guess it's just pretty clear that companies are in business to make money. And, they'll market to anyone - parent, kid, teenager, dog owner, etc. - in order to make a profit. Kids and parents are targeted by marketing experts, and as long as there are companies, they always will be.
The only way to protect kids from being bombarded by advertising is to keep them secluded. They'll be facing advertising all their life by their peers, sports idols, parents, etc. It's the job of parents to educate their kids about advertising, not protect them from it. There's simply no escaping it.
So, yes, kids are being marketed to. And yes, parents are being marketed to.
-steps off soapbox
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