Child Advertisements

I enjoyed this essay, since I have read Schlosser's Fast Food Nation and heavily agree with his research and opinions. What I found the most interesting in this essay is a theme i see in our country frequently. There is a problem addressed and backed up with thorough evidence. But there is nothing presented of how to resolve the issue. The FTC tried to ban advertisements directed at children under the age of seven in the late seventies. They failed. So if this is such an epidemic problem, where is the national awareness?

It is parents choice to put televisions in their children's rooms. It is parents choice to allow their children to watch as much television as they do. It is parents choice to choose what programs their kids watch and how much advertisements they watch. I think advertisers have free choice to target whichever demographic they choose. They are not making children watch their advertisements against their will. That is like saying if a group of people feel strongly against homosexuals that they want to ban from having any homosexuals on TV. That is not okay. Our country is built upon accepting or at least being open to all different types of people and ideas. We have free will.

I find it extremely immature to put the blame on advertisers. They are putting out their product, not making anyone buy it. If you feel strongly against that, than stop watching television. Or get a Tivo so you can fast forward through the commercials while still watching your favorite programs.