From the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood... - Our Daily Green

Friday, January 27, 2012

From the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood...

Take Action to Stop School Bus Ads 

Our Daily Green is a member of the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood. We became supporters of this non-profit when they had a campaign against a Scholastic book that had been sponsored by the American Coal Foundation. They also have led campaigns against unhealthy food advertising on children's programming as well as marketing to infants. Their mission is:
to reclaim childhood from corporate marketers.  A marketing-driven media culture sells children on behaviors and values driven by the need to promote profit rather than the public good.  The commercialization of childhood is the link between many of the most serious problems facing children, and society, today.  Childhood obesity, eating disorders, youth violence, sexualization, family stress, underage alcohol and tobacco use, rampant materialism, and the erosion of children’s creative play, are all exacerbated by advertising and marketing.  When children adopt the values that dominate commercial culture—dependence on the things we buy for life satisfaction, a “me first” attitude, conformity, impulse buying, and unthinking brand loyalty—the health of democracy and sustainability of our planet are threatened.  CCFC works for the rights of children to grow up—and the freedom for parents to raise them—without being undermined by commercial interests.
campaign for commercial free childhoodThis post is from their latest newsletter. They want to keep advertising off school public school buses. With more and more schools scrambling to find funding, it seems an easy solution. Easy isn't always the wise one. We wholly support their cause and hope you'll become involved as well.


The new legislative season brings new attempts to turn school buses into traveling billboards. Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, New York, Rhode Island and Washington are all considering bills that would allow ads on school buses for everything from junk food to violent and sexualized media. We are enormously sympathetic to the financial plight of schools, but commercializing schools and school buses is not a good solution. That’s why we’ve created our School Bus Ad Action Center,where you can find out the status of legislation in your state and what you can do to keep buses commercial-free. If you live in one of the states listed above, please visit the Action Center to tell your legislators to vote “No” on school bus ads.


There was some good news this week: Indiana legislators removed a provision allowing school bus ads from a school funding bill and a Rhode Island bill is being held for further study after a Wednesday hearing.  Unfortunately, Florida took a step towards commercializing its buses when the Education Committee approved a bill to allow school bus ads.  House Bill 19 now moves to the house floor for a vote.  (If you live in Florida,click here to take action.)






9 comments :

The Organic Blonde said...

My husband and I have this very same argument going about how to take back our kids from the corporate marketers. We don't always agree but our kids will NOT fall prey to 'pretty' colored cereals or EVERY new cheap toy that comes out on the market. It's not going to be easy but we are committed. Great post to remind me to stay vigilant!
Stopping by from the Meet and Greet and so glad getting to know you! How fabulous you know how to make mujudarah and tabbouleh... These are core dishes for us in our home.

mrs green @littlegreenblog.com said...

Oh my, ads on school buses - now that's something I've not even considered. My DD will be using a school bus next year and I honestly don't *think* they have ads, but maybe they do - I need to check that out for sure. Thanks for the heads up. My DD has had a magazine subscription for Christmas and I do notice a distinct increase in the 'I'd really like' or 'I've always wanted' type comments when a new one has come through the door. However, we are TV free, so that helps a LOT! Thanks for sharing your decluttering insights on my blog today - I appreciate it :)

Argentum Vulgaris said...

Brazil doesn't have this.... yet. But I agree. My main beef is TV advertising aimed at kids, it is nothing more than brainwashing. I think I 'tagged' this on my FB page, at any rate it appeared; I've added your link to my blog as well.

A suggestion on the school bus advertising, probably already exists, but parents refuse to let their kids use the buses until they remove the advertising.

AV

Argentum Vulgaris said...

Oh, I forgot, I came here from Meet & Greet @ Reduce Footprints LOL

AV

FreshGreenKim said...

We're old friend AV! But I love the Meet and Greet Monday idea! Our Daily Green has been a little slow lately so this is a well needed injection of spirit and energy!

Welcome also to Organic Blonde and Mrs. Green! It's a pleasure to have you visit my humble space!

Unknown said...

It's really a shame that commerce seems to always come before doing the right thing. I understand that the public school system needs to get creative to fund all the programs necessary for a good education but ... the education of a child should always be foremost and bombarding them with ads for "garbage" isn't good education. Thanks for this post and making people aware! :-)

Lori Popkewitz Alper said...

I've never seen ads on the sides of yellow school buses. Maybe they're coming? It would be very upsetting to see a McDonald's ad on the side of my son's school bus. Thank you for supporting the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood. I think I'll do the same! Stopping by from the Meet & Greet Monday!

FreshGreenKim said...

They aren't here YET, but it's an idea being discussed in many states, so CCFC is being proactive and letting consumers know ahead of time.

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Oh my goodness I saw this for the first time a few days ago and couldn't hardly believe it!! I agree this shouldn't be allowed!