I Want It Now : Navigating Childhood in a Materialistic World

by Donna Bee-Gates

• ISBN13: 9781403973269
• ISBN10: 1403973261
• Format: Trade Book
• Copyright: 2006-12-26
• Publisher: St Martins Pr

Summary

In today's world of mega-stores and unbridled materialism, people are spending more money than ever in an attempt to find fulfillment in themselvesand children are no exception. In her compelling and inspiring exploration of kids and consumerism, Donna Bee-Gates helps us all understand how a culture of instant gratification influences spending habits and erodes self-worth. She argues that placating kids with material rewards is detrimental to social and psychological development. Similarly, she reveals that kids often seek out material goods as emotional compensation and fall prey to corporate strategies that lure them in as loyal consumers at an early age. Bee-Gates brings together cutting-edge research and interviews to show that a healthy childhood sometimes means a simpler one--one that values good communication and interaction with peers and family. She highlights strategies to counter materialism and foster stronger identities in our children as they navigate a complex world, and discusses ways that we can help build self-awareness in children and encourage skills that will help them become adults with strong character and integrity.

Author Biography

Donna Bee-Gates has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle and has written for Bay Area Parent and Big Apple Parent. She is an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Child Development at San Jose State University. She lives in Cupertino, California.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	ix
Introduction	1	(8)
Believing in Fairy Tales	9	(30)
The Parenting Evolution	39	(30)
Why Do We Do It?	69	(20)
The Mimic	89	(26)
The Comparer and the Lonely One	115	(30)
You Complete Me and the Humdrum, Ho-Hum	145	(28)
Inspiring Wonder	173	(26)
Taking the Next Step	199	(22)
Notes	221	(20)
Index	241

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