Seiter argues that “Mass market commodities are woven into the social fabric of children’s lives†(p.8). British anthropologist Mary Douglas argues that “…educating children in reading and arithmetic is not enough to assure success in the social system…To condemn people to a level of mere subsistence consumption is to exclude them from the basis for success and security within a social network†(p. 44). Think about this issue, and present both of the following: a) How could you make the argument: Yes, to deny children access to and power in consumer culture limits their social skills? AND b) How could you make the argument: No, to deny children access to and power in consumer culture does not limit their social skills?
