[seeker1950]

I offended a couple of my female students the other morning during our "Life Skills" discussion. I teach at a small school where many are not able to afford expensive clothing or gadgets, yet there are those students who do have those things. I am seeing more and more cell phones, and the newer and fancier, the better they think of them. I commented that I think they don't need such things and are being swayed by the media. I'm especially offended by the TV commercials which depict parents getting their children's love and affection by presenting them with newer fancier cell phones.
I certainly would have been one of those students who went without such things, but I am also dismayed by witnessing the behavior of students who get everything they want, like it's their right.
Am I being an old fuddyduddy here?
Patty

[froggie2]

I also feel the same. The ads are shocking the heck out of me lately. Why are more parents not reacting to this garbage. Its so sad that so many believe that its Things that make them happy. Its not only phones and gadgets. Its food, cars, homes, clothes. The sad thing is we are forced to confront this stuff everyday. I have been on a private campaign in my own home for quite awhile. I try to keep out the junk mail. I try to keep the tv viewing to a minumum. I want to live life not watch it go by. My Christmas is shopping is plannned and done before December. and then I don't need to go to the malls. The holidays are much more serene. I nolonger feel I have to make tons of desserts, apetizers. snacks. We keep it simple.
. I Our minds are constantley bombarded to want more and fancier. Every week there is something new out there to make what you have obsolete. There are so many ways to make you feel you can't function without "it". and inadequate. Children are nolonger having childhoods they are being groomed to be the next "it". Their toys have to do something. How do they know who they are? They never have a minute to think for themselves. Even my home which is my refuge is invaded by phone calls from telemarketers. It has been a struggle to keep some form of peace but the more simple my life the better. While I was away visiting all the family ended up outside. Aunts, Uncles, grandchildren, great-granchildren, cousins. They were sliding down the grass hill out back on an old childrens pool. Kids and adults together. Someone said it had been a long time since everyone had had such a fun time. The sad thing is many kids have never even known such fun. But they have things just not the the ones that matter.

[seeker1950]

Thanks, Froggie...You are so right. I visited a website recently which showed an evil-looking Santa, with the caption, "I want you to SPEND~!" How true. I too keep Christmas simple. Last Christmas, I only bought my twin grandsons, age 3 then, a few small toys. I could see their disappointment, since I was in the other grandparents' house which was full of expensive gadgets and toys.

Also, in teaching, I have been doing collage with my students. A female student brought me a bunch of her magazines. All were teen female magazines, like "Cosmo Girl,: Seventeen, Teen People," etc. I have used the magazines for colored paper and words, but flipping thru them, I'm appalled at the images: hunky boys without shirts and low-cut jeans; girls in sexy clothing and too much makeup! The articles are supposed to be some form of "advice," but lend themselves to confusion about adolescence. It's sad.
It's a losing battle.
Patty

[darkeyes]

I do not think you are a "fuddy dutty" at all. I find many of the things kids,and yes,even adults,put such importance on,disturbing.
Not just the media is to blame,the parents are the enablers,in so many ways,of this behaviour,buying them whatever.
Some parents even push for their kids to have the latest of tech things,regardless of what it takes or symbolizes.
Frankly,I'm sick of this cell phone obsession,tired of seeing everyone walking around,hooked into their phones,tuning out the "real world" around them.
The cell phone abuse by drivers is really increasingly dangerous. I am daily, having so many close calls,dodging some moron(s) so enthralled in their chatter, that they are not paying attention to the road or world around them.
It's as wreckless as a person driving under the influence.
I have a cell phone,but only use when I am parked,for emergencies,not some idle chatter,that can be done at home.
I sort of digressed,needed to vent,while telling you I do not think you are a "fuddy dutty",but are making an excellent point.

[bebop]

no you are not wrong here. I have a niece and nephew that get every single thing they want. both are ok kids but geesh they are so spoiled!! the son got a bmw when he was 17 and now the daughter is getting one too. they think money grows on trees and it is ok to spend money like that! I think it is a shame kids today don't have to work and earn what they get like when we were that age! they have no respect for the material things they get nor their parents!

[Sabrina]

My son wanted one of those expensive robot type toys. I wasn't prepared to pay for something that "all his other friends have" and that I knew would collect dust before long. But he wanted it desperately. So he saved all his pocket money for 9 months and helped with jobs other than his chores to earn the money. He eventually bought it for himself. That was a wonderful achievement for him and the only time that I have not minded the fact that he wanted something because "all the other kids have one".

I find it quite alarming to see how many of my son's friends, under 10 years of age, are sporting the latest camera cell phones. And lap top computers.

I am so grateful that despite my son encountering computer games and playstation, that he is still largely a climb-a-tree type of child who enjoys playing outside. Sadly, his friends - who have the latest of everything - arn't interested in playing outside.

I do feel that many parents tend to hand the latest and best of things to their kids on silver platters.

How times have changed. It's sad.

[DaveyJones]

I knew a doctor once who would buy his kids all kinds of stuff for Christmas, like you'd expect. The catch was, nothing was opened until they got back from serving Christmas breakfast at the soup kitchen...pretty cool!

DJ

[froggie2]

What a neat idea.