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Pricing the Priceless Child

by Vivian Zelizer

Vivian Zelizer argues that the modern people commonly believe that children must be protected from the “evil” world of work, even from a just share of household chores, yet immersed in the wonderful world of over-consumption.

Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs is cool. Cuckoo for laundry is just plain cuckoo. She argues that children who contribute to the family—not in token ways and not in exploitive tasks—develop better self-worth, understand the needs of others better and develop feelings of belonging and being needed. She cites a study that suggests part time jobs help children feel competent and helps develop their personalities.

She argues that parents who are Queen Bees have self-worth threatened when children contribute to household duties, treating their children almost as if they were invalids. Many wives and husbands fight with each other over housework, rarely expecting children to help. Situations with self-denying adults and irresponsible children are bad for adults and children alike.Marie Winn and Neil Postman, however, argue for a more childlike childhood.

While children are protected from the “offensive” adult world of contributing, they are bathed in the adult worlds of drugs, violence, escapism, voyuerism and over-consumption.

Zelizer argues that America is not child-focused. That idea is a “saccharine myth.” The doorstep is where the valuing of children ends. When the sentimental value of children rose, practical economic considerations were ruled “morally” offensive. Worth skimming. Book review article by J.T. Fournier.

— J.T. Fournier

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