Young People, Commercialism and Social Change

Young people aren't the only ones buying more stuff today. While clothes, backpacks and music are filled with commercial references more often than ever before, it is obvious that schools and youth programs are for sale more than ever before.

Commercialism is the addiction has to stuff that's being sold, including images, ideas and culture. Around the world children and youth are struggling to find a different way to relate to the corporate and commercial culture that has been built around them. Basketball players, television stations, schoolbook covers... there is no limit what commercialism young people are challenging.

Freechild Youth Media Center Most youth activism to undo the influence of commercialism on young people and society in general happens in the realm of "Youth-Led Media". Many organizations and programs in this area actively engage young people in examining and challenging the effects of commercialism and mainstream media on young people. Our YMC includes dozens of youth media organizations and a collection of resources for youth to create their own media.

Shaping Youth A nonprofit concerned with media and marketing’s impact on kids. We have NO political, religious, or censorship agenda. Our focus is to shift harmful messages in a more positive direction with the help of industry insiders. Their website is an interesting blog with commentary on youth and media.

Children Now A leading national public policy organization working to ensure children have a healthy and diverse media environment. Children Now co-chairs the Children's Media Policy Coalition, a broad group of public health, research and child advocacy organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychological Association and the National PTA.

Campaign For A Commercial-Free Childhood A national coalition of health care professionals, educators, advocacy groups and concerned parents who counter the harmful effects of marketing to children through action, advocacy, education, research, and collaboration. We support the rights of children to grow up – and the rights of parents to raise them – without being undermined by rampant consumerism. 

Publications

Consuming Kids: Protecting Our Children from the Onslaught of Marketing & Advertising by Susan Linn. Psychologist Susan Linn reveals how the marketing industry preys on kids from the day they’re born, exploiting their vulnerabilities and skewing their values in order to influence what they eat, wear, and play with.

Branded: The Buying and Selling of Teenagers by Alissa Quart. A former media reporter shows how young, middle-class white people decide to buy stuff and shows how branded their worlds are - all without without being condescending about youth.

No Logo by Naomi Klein. Corporate influence - from branding to identity to culture - is everywhere. Klein shows that the media, the streets and the schools are packed - especially with ads in bathrooms and exclusive distribution contracts between schools and food corporations. While Walmart censors music albums and Blockbuster refuses to sell certain movies, young people are increasingly for sale. Learn how.

Reading List on Henry Giroux. Scholar and academic activist Giroux illustrates how corporate America is consuming young people and society without regard for anyone but itself. His ongoing analysis illustrates how media consumption, worldwide wars and political indifference are connected - and are killing our world today.

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