Kid Stuff: Marketing Sex and Violence to America's Children

By Daine Ravitch

American children spend a substantial part of their lives watching television and movies, playing video games, and listening to music containing explicit sex and violence. From Doom and Grand Theft Auto III to Eminem and Marilyn Manson, a strain of the popular culture has become increasingly toxic. One of the most pressing--and controversial--issues facing parents and educators in America today is understanding how exposure to these media affects the social and psychological development and behavior of children and teenagers.

In Kid Stuff, Diane Ravitch and Joseph P. Viteritti bring together experts in media studies, child psychology, and public health to assess the dangers posed by "tox pop" to American society. Drawing on thirty years of research, the contributors find convincing evidence that such "entertainment" can harm children and teenagers, despite the self-serving denials of the media industry. Balancing their concerns for the welfare of children with respect for the First Amendment, Kid Stuff furthers the ongoing dialogue about how a democratic society can protect its children from the pernicious extremes of popular media.

Contributors: Craig A. Anderson, Jeffrey Jensen Arnett, Peter G. Christenson, Edward Donnerstein, Jeanne B. Funk, Todd Gitlin, Kay S. Hymowitz, Elisabeth Lasch-Quinn, Nell Minow, Newton Minow, Thomas N. Robinson, Stacy L. Smith

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0801873274
• ISBN13: 9780801873270
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Even-handed, powerful essays on violence, obscenity in US

The editors, Diane Ravitch and Joseph Viteritti, have gathered together a number of scholars from the humanities and social sciences to consider the question, "Is our popular culture toxic?" Also, "Is it toxic merely to children or adolescents?" These scholars are even-handed in their answers to these questions; critics will not be able to dismiss them with the kind of labels heard on Fox News. Each has assembled existing data and impressions, and has answered questions such as, "What is it like to teach amid the torrent of popular culture?" and "How can one socialize children in a culture of obscenity?" "How much exposure to violence, sex, drugs, and alcohol constitutes a problem?" "What are the lasting effects of controversial music?"I am a great fan of Diane Ravitch and Joseph Viteritti, based on their previous books, and their edited books. This one is my favorite.The writers are fluent with their data, so the academic part is easy to read. More important, however, is that the writers describe "what it is like" (the "phenomenology" in academic language) to swim in this sea of obscene popular culture. This makes me think that they have touched the lives of children, and have examined their own experiences in our culture. Finally, even though their findings are largely that the culture has changed for the worse, they are not hysterical. Their recommendations reflect an appropriate course (or set of courses) to take, for lawmakers, educators, parents, guardians, and, yes, even the purveyors of this media blitz of violence and sex. Since nobody has their hands clean, it is good to read these writers.One part I loved was the author who asked makers of pornography whether they would want their children exposed to it. Their answers reflect a moral compartmentalization, because they make their living from what is so popular and desensitizing, and yet are very ambivalent about having their children see pornography--it is the way the world "is," but not the way they might like their children "see" it.Great book. This will help frame public dialogue about porn, violence, drugs, and the pond we all have to swim in--the degraded public discourse in our common lives.