Remember the field trips you took in elementary school—maybe to the fire department, a farm, a radio station or other places where you learned a bit about how things work? Well, now those old-fashioned field trips are being updated … and commercialized. Why send kids to the farm when we can send them to Petco, the national chain that sells animals… return to article
-
subscribe to print magazine
-
email this article to a friend
-
Reader Comments (14)Page 1 of 1 pagesAlso, what about all those Coke machines? Our kids need those candy and soda machines out of their schools.
I know they need money but obseity is killing us. Corporate advertising out of schools.
Posted by Tony on Oct 28, 2003 at 11:05 PM If schools wants to help businesses market their products to children, they should at least make sure the company has a good reputation and is not being sued for cruelty to animals, as PETCO is.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) constantly receives complaints from PETCO customers and employees who are concerned about sick and neglected animals at PETCO stores nationwide. The complaints, which are detailed on PetcoCruelty.com, show not only that PETCOís own ìguidelinesî for animal care arenít being followed, but also that basic state anti-cruelty laws are being violated. Animals are consistently deprived of the bare minimums required by law, including adequate food, water, veterinary care, and a humane death. Conditions are so bad that has filed a lawsuit to bar PETCO from selling animals there because of ìthe cruelty and pattern of brazen violations.î
Obviously, PETCO is not the type of company we want to teach children to respect and support. Hopefully schools will scrutinize companies more carefully in the future.
Sincerely,
Heather Moore
Staff Writer
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
Posted by Heather Moore on Oct 29, 2003 at 12:56 AM I remember going to the police station when I was in 3rd grade. In 6th grade, we were taken to a Jelly Belly Factory for a field trip. We got coupons.
Posted by Robby Russell on Oct 29, 2003 at 1:28 AM Teachers…. bring your Kids down to the Adult Video Megaplexxx.
The adult video industry takes in at least $800 million a year according to Forbes magazine. A big part of that is the “amatuer” market, which is a great model for teaching kids about do it yourself entrepenuership.
Every kid leaves with a coupon, redeemable on his 18th birthday for a free rental.
Posted by Joe on Oct 29, 2003 at 2:17 AM The commercialization of ‘our children’ is not restricted to the elementary level. The number of donations made by big-business to the nation’s colleges is also responsible for the the mis-education of much of America. The universities don’t shy away from donations because that would be just bad business - and in return, they are pumping out commercialized drones to be a part of the big business machine. What ever happened to the cries against being just another brick in the wall?
Posted by ryan on Oct 29, 2003 at 2:46 AM Its amazing how the schools we need for the future of our country are so overrun with consumerism with not only the field trips and coke and candy machines, shining logos at these fresh minds, but they foster competition with fashion and clothes that signify, as fashion always has, how well-off one is compared to another. I won Mr. Hightower’s book, and I’m only half way through it and loving it. This man is smart, Damn smart.
Posted by Dan on Oct 29, 2003 at 7:44 AM Greetings,
None of this is a surprise. Ivan Illich’s _Deshcooling Society_ revealed the same dynamics years ago. Recently, “Harper’s” opened the deep foundation of “programming our kids,” in “Against School; How Public Education is Crippling Our Kids, and Why.” The author was NYC and New York State “Teacher of the Year.”
Schools are simply where kids learn that only our way of life and its programmed “past” count.
Posted by ryokan on Oct 29, 2003 at 8:43 AM Education is becoming a phantasmorgia of buy and sell. A processing plant with no room for thought, watered by greed.
Posted by Ned Bobkoff on Oct 29, 2003 at 4:25 PM It really is sad, isn’t it? When I was kid we got GREAT field trips to symphony concerts and museums and parks. Not only are we “training” our children to be good little shoppers, we are depriving them of opportunities to broaden their cultural base and learn something they aren’t likely to find in the local arcade or toy store.
Posted by Carole Keene on Oct 29, 2003 at 5:53 PM Most of the problems with commercialism in schools seem to be grounded in the LACK OF FUNDING. I went on those nice trips to the opera at the met. , the museum of natural history, Cats, etc. Those trips cost MONEY. Sometimes lots of it.
On some of these trips we had to pay a small amount and if our parents couldnt afford it, alternative arrangements would be made.Either way someone had to PAY FOR IT.
I for one am so sick and tired of people balling there eyes out about taxes. Cons and libs alike. Yes even progressives scream about there property taxes being too high! BOO-HOO! If you could afford the nice house in the burbs with the BMW in the garage then you can afford to send our kids to school. Stop your bitchin.
Pay for the schools and the coke machines will disappear and the expensive school trips will return. You cant expect a quality edumacation to be payed for by the poor suckers who buy scratch-off lottery tickets.
Posted by shawn p murphy on Nov 8, 2003 at 1:49 AM BUY HIS BOOKs!
Jim- you’re the one of the few that is standing up for us in a great way. You’re the only guy that fronted talk radio idiot blabbermouths like pill poppin rush. You’re funny. You’re intelligent. You should marry Molly Ivins! (just kidding- but you 2 are the best!!!!!).
amazon.com-search for “hinghtower”. Get some truth in 2 days or less.
Posted by Mart on Nov 14, 2003 at 6:37 AM Who else but ITT would tell us a story of crass commercialism aimed at children.
Thanks for keeping us informed.
Posted by Denise D'Anne on Nov 15, 2003 at 7:17 PM Page 1 of 1 pages -
register a new account »Posting Security
Posted by Marta on Oct 29, 2003 at 4:58 PM 
Also by Jim Hightower
Popular Discussions
- The 9/11 Faith Movement
Many Americans believe 9/11 was a conspiracy by the U.S. government
1979 posts since Jul 11 06 - What’s the 411 on 9/11?
891 posts since Dec 21 05 - Democrats: It’s the War
659 posts since Nov 1 05 - Was the Presidential Election Stolen?
462 posts since Jun 19 06 - A Fundamental History Lesson
The rise of National Socialism proved politics and religion don't mix
427 posts since Oct 10 05
© 2003 In These Times | Reprint Policy | Privacy Policy | Powered by Expression Engine | RSS Feeds
