tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039160066439602962.post2078480738727921766..comments2024-03-27T13:20:02.905-07:00Comments on The Quotidian Reader: Hidden Lives of Middle SchoolersWillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17374272000644968446noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039160066439602962.post-66247004575802744572009-07-29T09:18:31.605-07:002009-07-29T09:18:31.605-07:00Great post and comments and thanks for the rec on ...Great post and comments and thanks for the rec on the middle school book, checking my library for it now :)Sweetness and Lighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00018458789487126482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039160066439602962.post-6310177128353583492009-07-24T04:55:42.170-07:002009-07-24T04:55:42.170-07:00Now that I've read your review and the teacher...Now that I've read your review and the teacher's, I realize what an emotional hold this subject *still* has on me, after, what, 31 years? I've struggled this year (and last) because I have a 14yo, and that was my hardest year growing up. Because she's homeschooled, my daughter's situation is much better than mine was, but even she's not immune to these same pressures. <br /><br />I just went and created a Goodreads account. Looks fun. Maybe I'll eventually figure out how to import my Library Thing file.<br /><br />JoVE, the spending thing does start early, but it isn't always consistent. And I remember facing a special pressure between 6-9 to the precursors of teen culture. We held the line, but half the time I felt isolated and thought I might be nuts. I guess it depends on what you're talking about, whether it's something that's merely materialistic, like American Girl dolls, or something that's sleezy as well, but I think that's when the desire to fit in starts.Laura Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08168905598871608315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039160066439602962.post-86740036273995326082009-07-23T14:12:32.258-07:002009-07-23T14:12:32.258-07:00Interesting points. And that spending on kids thin...Interesting points. And that spending on kids thing starts way too early for it to have anything to do with children's desires to fit in. I observed it among F's peers when she was under 2.<br /><br />Which means parents are buying into that culture and then teaching it to their kids. By "blaming" it on media, other kids, etc. they are just not taking responsibility.<br /><br />I am fascinated by the glimpses you give of the protective characteristics of different groups. I've always found F. quite resilient and can see a bit where she fits. Might have to read this. Have already recommended to a friend with 2 girls this age (one still homeschooled, one now in school)JoVEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16680602039278597976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039160066439602962.post-64713085213168550452009-07-23T11:50:10.268-07:002009-07-23T11:50:10.268-07:00A modest income is a *huge* protection, because it...A modest income is a *huge* protection, because it gives a sense of reality to a teen's decisions. I remember Dr. Dobson saying that it's harder to refuse your child a toy than to tell him/her you can't afford it. <br /><br />Another problem is that kids lead such structured lives that parents think they need stuff to make up for it. Don't get me started...<br /><br />And yes, somehow I do think it's worse for girls. But then, I don't have a boy.<br /><br />Lindsay, I really like the "assimilation" idea. I think I'm going to use it!Laura Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08168905598871608315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039160066439602962.post-34317458210587858422009-07-21T06:55:01.790-07:002009-07-21T06:55:01.790-07:00After finishing Weapons of Mass Instruction last w...After finishing Weapons of Mass Instruction last week, I decided that my new response to those who bring up the question of socialization will be, "oh, you mean assimilation?" because I think that is exactly what they mean whether they realize it or not. <br /><br />Obviously if they are standing there talking to my children and complimenting me on their behavior, they are being socialized, they just aren't being made into copies of all the other children who happened to be born the same year they were.<br /><br />The whole question of socialization continues to become more and more absurd to me. <br /><br />It isn't even a question of my *allowing* the behaviors you describe here, it is the horror that my children might some day *desire* those things. It is as if people think that the only thing parents can control is the activities they allow rather than ultimately influencing the formation of the child in what they will value.Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11081757519772226348noreply@blogger.com