"This Little Kiddy Went To Market" is a very sobering and interesting book that looks at the effects of business management practices in and on educational systems. The author has conducted and collated a survey and review of practices across a number of western world school systems including countries such as - USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
What this book does is assess the impacts on children and school management in action due to the increased involvement of businesses in the education arena. The book covers subject areas including the supply of branded resources by big business, the results of private businesses managing schools and the teaching of consumer values to school children.
"Children have never before been under such pressure to 'succeed, conform and look good'. It is little wonder that so many children grow into youths who are unhappy, stressed, fat, delinquent or self-destructive" (Excerpt from introduction: Sharon Beder).
If you want to know how and why the author reached these conclusions - read the book. Every one of those statements can be backed up by well researched information and facts from the public arena.
So what did I think? This book will make you think. The facts are presented in a clear light and very little personal opinion is recorded. Rather the book requires the reader to draw their own conclusions on every matter listed. I was astounded at some of the areas of interaction and even learnt some interesting marketing techniques should I ever choose to start marketing to children.
My give this book a two thumbs up rating. This book is easy to read, broad in scope and definitely worth a read. Your thinking will be challenged and think you will review your position on topics that up until you now you may not have considered important in your childs education.
