Dear Dr. Robyn,
My child does not stop talking about what he wants for the holidays this year. Every time a new toy or game is shown on TV, I hear “I want that!” I think the media has it in for us. What am I supposed to do?
–Josie K., NC
Dear Josie K.,
Holidays and commercialism. I love this time of year, don’t you? Yet while it is filled with the comfort and warmth of loved ones, it is also the biggest commercial season of the year. Think of the sales! The must-have toys of the season! Corporations vie for your attention and of course, the attention of your children.
Believe it or not, it is estimated that advertisers spend more than $12 billon per year on advertising messages aimed at your children. More than half of the toy industry’s annual $30 billion in sales happen during the weeks leading up to the holiday season. Therefore while the average child watches more than 40,000 TV commercials per year— or 100 per day—perhaps the most influential commercials happen in preparation for December’s spending frenzy. [click to continue…]
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