by Julianna Gwiszcz

Created on: April 16, 2008   Last Updated: April 25, 2008

Investing in the Future:
Children as Commodities

When did the innocence of children become tainted by the view of them as commodities? In a world dependent upon the pillar of capitalism and consumerism, ridden with economic instability and rampant poverty, it appears as though the carefree days of "kids being kids" no longer exist. Somewhere along the line the needs of children to grow up into happy, healthy, decent adults have become far more complicated. The typical love, care, discipline, and protection-including adequate nutrition, housing, education, health care, and clothing-are no longer enough in an increasingly competitive society grounded in inequality.1 Modern day experts, obsessed with evidential research, scientific inquiry, and structured development, have churned out a new set of guidelines for parents, families, and all those associated with the "well-being" of children. The new list of requirements for being good parents is contingent upon what these same experts refer to as "human and social capital," with an emphasis on forging economically efficient contributors and consumers of the future (CP).2

With the increasing need for children to develop greater skill sets and be exposed to more social, educational, and occupational opportunities from early on, the already demanding role of parenthood has reached a new level. The aforementioned "capital" needs of children have raised expectations for parents, adding far more physical, mental, emotional, cultural and economical pressures on them to succeed in rearing exceptional children. Unfortunately, what seems to be the underlying drive to improve the efforts of parents today is sadly the labor market (CP).3 "Capital" is no longer relegated solely to the economy; it now defines our children as well. This shift in mindset- from "all you need is love" to "what are you worth?"- has resulted in a destruction of the very morals Americans spent over a century attempting to correct in youth. Children are no longer looked upon as innocent, playful beings. They have become societal investments that must be enhanced and protected at all costs.

Research on the effects of early environments on children, adolescents, and adults has taken on this very tone of human com-modification and sound economic "investment."4 Arguments made for social policy enhancing early education, adequate health care and supportive environments for proper development-all of which should be innate in the love of parents for their

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