Ever wonder what folks from developing countries think, as they walk the long and astonishing road to absorbing a new culture in highly capitalistic North America?
This is the place where choice and plenty is everywhere...where aggressive marketing rules, dictating what you “want” in life, and making sure you place it firmly in your mind as a “need”. Over the years you’ve become used to the constant, daily urges for you to buy, buy, buy. |
Seems like a lot of others have started to be more frugal too. Or they're attempting it, but swallowed up in credit card debt. This can be discouraging for marketers who always like a fresh supply of “I need” customers in their sights.
Children are 'the boss'
There's a big, powerful reason for this. Times have changed. Essentially, there are lots of children who rule the roost now. This fact has not been lost on marketers.
Children are often the decision makers in the family, therefore having a huge influence on marketing. In fact they are worth more than 700 billion dollars to the folks whose goal is to sell, sell, sell. Parents listen to little Johnny’s advice on the purchase of a vehicle (type, colour, most of all the entertainment screens and fancy buttons in it.)
Advertising covers babes to teens, easy!
Advertisers follow the lives of these young, most important consumers. Right now it's all about back-to-school buying. Lots of things to consider with this, because you have to be on par or ahead of your peers.
And we’re not talking only about teens here. Oh no, even young children just starting school are acutely aware of the “right” things they need. And thanks to their nonchalant belief in their parents funding capabilities, coupled with insistent demands, many modern parents will cave, whether they can afford things or not.
Whatever happened, that we allowed marketing to take away a child’s right to innocent childhood? For many of us, the grandparent types, this is truly a crying shame.