Are American Kids Given Too Many Choices?

Do you think kids are more spoiled today then say 10 or 15 years ago?

ETS: It makes more sense to ask do we give our kids too many choices when it comes to material things? Which leads to them being way too spoiled.

Message edited 3/13/2006 10:12:01 AM.

Re: Are American Kids/Teens Too Spoiled?

Heck ya!

Re: Are American Kids/Teens Too Spoiled?

I don't think what you asked has much to do with whether kids are spoiled are not. They can ask for stuff by name, but that's not being spoiled that's being observant. It's the industry that markets to children that's to blame...I think.

If the kids are indulged by their parents, then that's another story.

When I was a kid I had Sergio Valente jeans, basically because my mom thought it was cute and funny that I was this little thing walking around with designer jeans on. But I don't think I was spoiled.

Re: Are American Kids/Teens Too Spoiled?

I had designer clothes when I was little too, but that's just because my Mother was the world's first Marshall's shopper!

I was by no means spoiled...once I hit 13, I got a job, and worked for everything. My first cell phone was at 17, when I could afford to pay for it - and ONLY because I was driving.

It just irritates me that my 10 yr old cousins have Nextels for no friggen reason. THEY'RE 10!

Re: Are American Kids/Teens Too Spoiled?

I don't think they are more spolied then kids years ago, I just think the stuff they have/get is much more extreme. Kids today have laptops, ipods, etc. Some will only wear designer bags and clothes starting at very young ages.

Re: Are American Kids/Teens Too Spoiled?

OMG yes.

When you see these HS kids that insist on only wearing designer clothes and carry designer stuff...


ETA: Just wanted to add that I don't think having IPODs or Cell phones makes them spoiled...those are just the things to have of this generation. Just like for us it was game boys or Ataris or whatever. IMO, what makes them spoiled is when they demand to have the latest and most expensive cell phones, IPods, etc. And alot of them do demand them and get them. A $400 cell phone for a 15 yr old? Ridiculous.

Message edited 3/13/2006 9:58:25 AM.

Re: Are American Kids/Teens Too Spoiled?

IMO, some children are given too many choices at a young age, when it might not be appropriate. For example, a friend was telling me that she was babysitting for her grandson and was instructed that he had to be given a choice of 2 or 3 outfits and he was to choose what he wanted to wear in the morning. He is TWO years old. She was saying that it makes your life much more difficult as a parent when you start that at such a young age.

I see my nieces and nephews wanting stuff, but I agree with what someone said before, that the stuff they are asking for is more expensive. I remember wanting the cool sneakers and jeans when I was young, but I think the cost of that stuff seems way higher (even factoring in inflation) than when I was young.

Re: Are American Kids Give Too Many Choices?

IMO, some children are given too many choices at a young age, when it might not be appropriate. For example, a friend was telling me that she was babysitting for her grandson and was instructed that he had to be given a choice of 2 or 3 outfits and he was to choose what he wanted to wear in the morning. He is TWO years old. She was saying that it makes your life much more difficult as a parent when you start that at such a young age.

This is what I think I am referring to. Do we give them too many choices at such a young age. I never ask Marissa what she wants to wear or how she wants her hair. She onec told me "I don't want to waer this outfit because I don't like it!" I said "well, until you can buy your own clothes you will waer what mommy & daddy buy you.

Re: Are American Kids Give Too Many Choices?

Can we really blame the fact that there are more options? Shouldn't we blame the parents that are getting it for them?

My mom said even when my brother and I were babies we cried when she put certain outfits on us. Some outfits were probably more comfortable than others. I think children should be encouraged to have opinions, but spoiling them rotten is another story.

Message edited 3/13/2006 10:11:55 AM.

Re: Are American Kids Given Too Many Choices?

Re: Are American Kids Given Too Many Choices?

Re: Are American Kids Given Too Many Choices?

when you watch all these parenting reality shows you realize (a guilty pleasure of mine, there's one here in the UK with a child psychologist who I just think is brilliant!) that parents seem to be so worried about upsetting their children and rarely tell them No. It's scary how kids have such control these days!


I totally hear what you are saying. I was watching the Oprah show about the Debt Diet & one couple's kids are just nuts! They ask for so many things & the mother knowing that she does not have the money to buy allthe brand name things, still buys them. I def. think it's the parents to blame since our actions cause the effect for the kids.

Re: Are American Kids Given Too Many Choices?

I don't think you can blame kids for being spoiled at all....it's human nature to ask for what you want when you see it.
if parents indulge their children and buy them everything they want, just to make their children happy...THAT'S the problem.

I think many adults are a lot more spoiled than kids today....people who max out their credit cards and live in debt just to have all of the things they think they deserve to have!

Re: Are American Kids Given Too Many Choices?

Re: Are American Kids Given Too Many Choices?

I have to go back and read all the replies but I don't think kids are necessarily spoiled but there are so many more things to have.

Cell phones are considered a necessity, there's barely a radio walkman to be found so it's MP3 players, typewriteres are antiquated since most households have a computer etc.

I am sure my parent's would say we were spoiled since we had a tv in our room etc.

Re: Are American Kids Given Too Many Choices?

absolutely!!!!

Re: Are American Kids Given Too Many Choices?

Yes!!!

Re: Are American Kids Given Too Many Choices?

i think some kids are spoiled, but some aren't. i certainly don't plan on giving my kids whatever they want, not b/c i didn't have, but i don't need my kids telling me they "need" a cell phone at 10 or 11!!

Re: Are American Kids Given Too Many Choices?

Message edited 3/13/2006 12:52:10 PM.

Re: Are American Kids Given Too Many Choices?

I saw this show too - I was intrigued by the topic. I think what they were highlighting there goes along with what some people are saying here in the thread. That perhaps it is more a problem of the children mirroring what they see. The parent is spending money they don't have to be fulfilled by material things they can't afford. I think in many cases, the people who are in this case are passing on their own bad habits to their children without realizing the damage they are doing to them.


It really is sad because the ones affected are the children in the long run.