One of the first things I do when I get up in the morning is look at the news, mostly Middle East stuff, but I do also enjoy random news like guys calling 911 to report themselves as drug dealers :) I saw a funny article this morning about Disney starting to market to newborns. The article talks about Disney giving free newborn clothing away at hospitals which will of course suck babies into the vortex of commercialism.
The article doesn't point out that other companies are already using this same tactic. Hospital are either a Pampers hospital or a Huggies hospital and whatever diapers they give you are probably the ones you'll keep on using. The same goes with formula, wipes, even breastfeeding stuff. We came home from the hospital with more than a baby, we had bags full of diapers, wipes, baby shampoo, etc. Granted, we had to go back to the hospital for Faith to get bili-light treatment for her jaundice so we got double, but it's a ton of stuff. Faith is 8 months old now and I still haven't purchased any baby shampoo because I still have hospital stuff.
Also, you can't shield your baby from marketing entirely. Pampers have Sesame Street characters and Huggies have Disney characters. I'm pretty sure images of Elmo haven't scarred Faith yet, but I am worried that he's not projecting a healthy body image (have you seen how skinny he is??)
If Disney had given us free baby clothes at the hospital, I would have taken it and if we liked it, I probably would have bought more. That's the whole marketing idea behind free samples, right? Hell, if they want to send me free stuff now I wouldn't turn that down either :)
What do you think? Should babies be shielded from commercialism or is it inevitable?
It's inevitable. Bring on the Disney! I agree with you. If it's free and I like it, I'll probably buy more. That's the whole point.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely going to happen some time - unless you plan on keeping your kid away from TV, magazines, newspapers.....at which point once the kid stays over at a friend's house, they'll watch TV for 12 hours straight or something and still be "poisoned" by commercialism! Embracing the free stuff is probably the smartest way to go - babies are expensive! :) Then you can focus on teaching them to be smart consumers instead of avoiding commercialism entirely!
ReplyDeleteIt's inevitable, lets be honest, commercials-advertisements....they're everywhere!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the winner!
At least if they're babies they won't notice yet. It's bound to happen one day to all kids. I'd take the freebies :)
ReplyDeleteI think by nature babies are shielded from commercialism. They are unable to walk, talk or purchase things. Adults are the ones buying into the "baby" commercialism by continuing to use the same brand as samples. Obviously companies target kids from toddler age onward, through cereals and TV. But infants sure as heck don't care about the characters on their diapers, just whether or not they are changed frequently.
ReplyDeleteJust because I got a free sample of something doesn't mean I'll buy it. I really try to stay away from brands and labels and just use the products that are functional. Companies really are relentless with advertizing and marketing techniques.
I read that article and thought it was making a big deal out of nothing--just another commercial partner.
ReplyDeleteMy Husband and I are going to attempt to keep out as much social media as possible from our home. We already don't have cable and have no intention of getting it, a tv should not be a baby sitter and this way we can use dvds and know exactly what content our daughter is watching and make sure she gets the right messages from it. There has lately been a big to do about princesses and so forth from Disney which supposedly causes body image/self esteem issues or something. I feel its all in the parenting and how much of an active participator you want to be in your childs life.
ReplyDeleteAs for the freebies, why not use them, it doesn't mean you'll make a purchase later. We might get free diapers in the hospital when she's born but we're using cloth diapers later on after she's out of the newborn sizes.
I'm all about freebies! I think it's smart marketing. People use (and buy) what they know and like.
ReplyDelete