Another Day
Ok. I’m on a roll. Months of nothing, then two posts in two days. Only, I’ve remembered why I started this thing so here goes most likely another rant.
Commercialism. Why, oh why do we fall for it? Mother’s Day. My first without my mum so it’s been a day of very mixed emotions. But you know what? There shouldn’t be a Mother’s Day, a Father’s Day, Valentines Day…Maybe I’m being a bit cynical and maybe it’s just the high emotions, but if you can’t be nice and appreciate these people the rest of the year, why make the effort for one day when things return to normal the next? Retailers, of course, love it and their little eyes see pound signs instead of stars. But people fall for the guilt in the advertising. It’s a powerful thing is advertising and perhaps that should be taught in the curriculum. I usually tackle it in great depth around S2. There’s nothing better to get the conversation going than showing one of the ‘shocking’ Benetton ads of the 90′s, explaining how sex sells, or how their much admired sport or pop stars are used to lure them into a promised world. Even the fact that by that age, they are considered past it as a target group by certain advertisers. I love watching them pull apart a poster and slowly realise the methods used to attract and sell. Does it make a difference? Nah. Probably not. But if it makes them a bit more aware, then worth doing I suppose.
So. Happy Mother’s Day to all you mums out there. I’m not so miserable I wouldn’t wish it. My lot went to great lengths to make me feel special this morning and it was appreciated – I’ll remind them off it tomorrow when the demands and cheek and strops start! LOL
