That was actually a very nice article, I'm surprised to find myself saying. One that actually talks about kids and their interests, not just about adults and their vanity. Why has my generation (the folks discussed were all my gen) confused material goods and their symbolic roles with "soulfulness" and "grace"? Are we even more shallow than our babyboomer parents? Shallower and more entitled?
Parenting shouldn't be re-engineered simply to nurture self-indulgence. A good parent looks out for the interests of their kids (first and foremost - which means maintaining disciple and safety among other things) and the best parents also look out for others and the way their children affect others. Once the first two are handled well then have at the self-indulgence. If someone is not ready to put their own needs second, they shouldn't become parents -- they need to finish growing up...
BTW, the book "Buy Buy Baby" talks about "rejuvenalia" too. It's an interesting topic, as I have several hipster friends who are addicted to buying pint-sized irony in the form of t-shirts, toddler Converse sneakers, etc. Those things can be cute -- but they're clearly all about the parents.
Great article - thanks for posting it. I totally agree with Shinejil on this one, and it's my generation, too - I think this kind of thing is pretty nauseating. The odd funny baby t-shirt is one thing, but the amount of consumerism involved in having children these days is absolutely ridiculous. Seems to me that extending consumer culture into every aspect of our lives has made people pathetically entitled - if I have the money, I should get what I want, always. And I agree that it does have a lot to do with people not wanting to grow up - people are so vain in their belief that they can stay 24 forever. I was thinking of this yesterday as I saw a young woman wearing a super short skirt with funky legwarmers and heels walking down the street. She looked great, and I found myself realizing that I would never wear something like that ever again. I had my time and it is over now. I wish I had enjoyed it a bit more and really appreciated it, but I can look back and do that now. But I can see pretty clearly that my mini-skirt days are behind me. And that's just fine - I know I'm more than a hipster strut, anyway.
Re-reading this comment I realize that I've echoed Shinejil almost exactly. Oh well. You said it first, you said it best, Shinejil... respect, from one curmudgeon to another...
That was actually a very nice article, I'm surprised to find myself saying. One that actually talks about kids and their interests, not just about adults and their vanity. Why has my generation (the folks discussed were all my gen) confused material goods and their symbolic roles with "soulfulness" and "grace"? Are we even more shallow than our babyboomer parents? Shallower and more entitled?
ReplyDeleteSorry, I'm a terrible curmudgeon.
Thanks for posting. The "Mary-Joseph theory" made me laugh; a friend here calls it "free-range pregnant woman syndrome" ("Must have more space!").
ReplyDeleteParenting shouldn't be re-engineered simply to nurture self-indulgence. A good parent looks out for the interests of their kids (first and foremost - which means maintaining disciple and safety among other things) and the best parents also look out for others and the way their children affect others. Once the first two are handled well then have at the self-indulgence. If someone is not ready to put their own needs second, they shouldn't become parents -- they need to finish growing up...
ReplyDeleteBTW, the book "Buy Buy Baby" talks about "rejuvenalia" too. It's an interesting topic, as I have several hipster friends who are addicted to buying pint-sized irony in the form of t-shirts, toddler Converse sneakers, etc. Those things can be cute -- but they're clearly all about the parents.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this - very interesting!
ReplyDeleteAndie
Great article - thanks for posting it. I totally agree with Shinejil on this one, and it's my generation, too - I think this kind of thing is pretty nauseating. The odd funny baby t-shirt is one thing, but the amount of consumerism involved in having children these days is absolutely ridiculous. Seems to me that extending consumer culture into every aspect of our lives has made people pathetically entitled - if I have the money, I should get what I want, always. And I agree that it does have a lot to do with people not wanting to grow up - people are so vain in their belief that they can stay 24 forever. I was thinking of this yesterday as I saw a young woman wearing a super short skirt with funky legwarmers and heels walking down the street. She looked great, and I found myself realizing that I would never wear something like that ever again. I had my time and it is over now. I wish I had enjoyed it a bit more and really appreciated it, but I can look back and do that now. But I can see pretty clearly that my mini-skirt days are behind me. And that's just fine - I know I'm more than a hipster strut, anyway.
ReplyDeleteRe-reading this comment I realize that I've echoed Shinejil almost exactly. Oh well. You said it first, you said it best, Shinejil... respect, from one curmudgeon to another...
They've put a forum on the site about the article. http://www.torontolife.com/blog/baby-wars-forum/
ReplyDelete