Identity And The Film 'Consuming Kids'

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Identity and a sense of self have been social markers for individuality for as long as society has existed. However, what makes up our identity and “self” is a matter of debate. There are those that believe that our environment is the primary cause of our fundamental values and behaviors, whereas others believe that we have some “innate difference” that defines and ultimately controls how we develop our sense of self and identity. As Newman (2014) argues, “…who we become is influenced by the behaviors and attitudes of significant people in our lives as well as by cultural and institutional forces. As these things change, so do we” (p. 134). His argument is supported in part by the works of Bates and DeMaio, Friedman, and the documentary film “Consuming Kids”. …show more content…
In Friedman’s article, “Tiger Girls on the Soccer Field” (2013), she explores how class distinction can shape the behaviors of the girls that play soccer. She states, that “upper-middle-class parents of girls often perceive a link between aggression and success in athletics, and are more likely to enroll their daughters in soccer or chess, rather than dance …” (p. 103). These findings suggest that not only do the class distinctions play a role in the actions of parents, these external and environmental influences affect their overall mentality towards raising their children. In a very similar fashion, the documentary film, “Consuming Kids” (2008), demonstrates the many ways that marketing and popular media can indoctrinate young children in order to secure their buying potential and develop lifelong inclinations towards a certain lifestyle. This again demonstrates that how society can influence both behavior as well as