Visual Rhetoric 2

We always fear that our children will choose the wrong path in life. We try to encourage and support our children as best as we can, but with life comes responsibility and finances. We have to work to support our families and we cannot spend every second with our children.

This cartoon uses pathos, or emotional ques, to hit on our fears as parents. Parents fear that their children will become involved with the wrong crowd and will use drugs. It points out that gangs and drugs are always there for our children even when we are not. As much as we would like we cannot be there with our children every second. We are often faced with the fact that our children will have to make big decisions on their own. Parents can only hope that they have taught their children enough when that decision comes that they choose the right path. The artist plays on the fears and emotions that our children will choose the wrong path.

The cartoon also uses ethos, or our sense of trust in family and community, to emphasize the artist’s point. Parents are gone from 9 to 5 working their hectic schedules, in some cases even longer. Outreach programs and counselors that were once available to mentor our children have been eliminated because of the economic crisis. Gangs and drugs have no jobs, except to recruit and pull in our children. Many parents trust and rely on those programs to assist them in regulating the influences their children are exposed to. Since the programs have been closed down the children are left without those positive influences. We, as parents, then worry about the gangs and drugs becoming an influence in our children's lives.

Citation:

Fischer, E. (n.d.) Drugs and gangs. Retrieved April 23, 2010 from http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonview.asp?start=&search=news&catref=efin1390&NC_Category=&ANDkeyword=parenting&ORkeyword=&TITLEkeyword=&NEGATIVEkeyword=.

Visual Rhetoric 1

There is so much violence in today’s society. Because of all the school shootings and violence in schools today, parents have to worry about whether sending their child to school is even safe anymore. This cartoon is critiquing the school systems and the dangers that threaten our children when they go to school. The mobile above the baby’s bed has guns hanging above the baby’s head- exposing the baby early.

This cartoon is targeting the parents of school age children. It is meant to emphasize the dangers our children face even in a place that is meant to protect and educate them. This cartoon uses pathos, or details that play on one’s emotions, to get the point across to the parents. As parents we worry about our children and their safety. The artist is trying to show that our children are not safe even when they go to school because of the violence and prevalence of weapons.

The cartoon also uses Ethos, or our trust in the school system, to show the weaknesses in a system that we trust to in a sense raise our children. The artist understands the trust that we place in the school system to provide our children with a education in a safe environment, but with the prevalence of weapons it lowers that trust and feeling of safety when we send our children to school.

Citation:

Baker, I. (n.d.) Cartoon about children in school. Retrieved April 23, 2010 from http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonview.asp?search=site&catref=iban447&NC_Category=&ANDkeyword=parenting&ORkeyword=&TITLEkeyword=&NEGATIVEkeyword=.

SIDS- What can you do to stop it?

I have always heard of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS, but I never really understood what it meant. I never even considered looking it up until I had Lillie. I decided I would look it up, not to scare myself, but because I felt I needed to know the risks and whether or not I should sleep instead of watch her sleep.

When I did a little research I came across a couple of articles. SIDS is the unexplained death of a baby under the age of 1. The causes are still unknown, but SIDS occurs when the baby is asleep. There are certain things they have found that increase the risk for SIDS. Placing babies on their bellies to sleep increases the risk for SIDS. Also babies with exposure to cigarette smoke are at a higher risk.

There are some ways to help prevent SIDS, but since they do not know the cause they do not know 100% how to prevent it. It is recommended to breast-feed if possible because breast-fed babies have should lower occurrences of SIDS. Of course they say you should place your baby on their back to sleep. The article also says to place your baby in a crib designed for infants without soft bedding, stuffed animals, or loose blankets. It also warns against sleeping with your baby and keeping the room too warm. Pacifiers have been associated with lowering the risk of SIDS. The article also says that baby monitors do not prevent SIDS and that there is no link between SIDS and immunizations.

I found this study interesting because despite the admittance that SIDS does not have a known cause they have listed ways to prevent it. These are all things that I have heard before about caring for your child when they go to sleep. I also thought it was interesting that they put “Call 911 if your baby is blue or not breathing.” This is kind of a DUH statement for me. Articles like this make me worry and make me laugh. It makes me worry because there is no sound way I can ensure that my child does not fall victim to SIDS. No matter how many precautions I take I can not insure my child’s safety when she goes to sleep. It also makes me laugh because its almost like they want to scare you into wrapping your child in bubble wrap to make sure they do not get any bumps or bruises. I think there is a such thing as being over cautious with your child, but because I’m a first time mother I find myself listening to these studies like they are the Bible and telling everyone I know about what I found. HELP ME PLEASE! Haha.

Well wish me luck with raising this child. I know they will come out with something new tomorrow.

Citations:
Muller, W. (2009, July). Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). CRS- Pediatric Advisor. Retrieved on March 16, 2009 from EBSCOhost database.

Child Beauty Pageants: Entertainment or Exploitation?

We have all seen the television show “Toddlers and Tiaras”. (see picture to the right) I am amazed at how much goes into each pageant. I could not imagine putting my daughter in one of those pageants as young as 6 months old. When I see the little girls throwing fits on the show because they do not want to practice or get their hair done, it shocks me how much the mothers and even father push them. I wanted to know more about the positives and negatives of these pageants and how they began.

Beauty pageants began in 1921 with the Miss America Pageant. In 1961 the Little Miss America pageant was started. This pageant was originally only intended for ages 13-17. By 1964 the interest in the pageant had blown up to more than 35,000 contestants. The pageant coordinators then decided to split contestants by age and the child pageant industry had begun. Today more than 5,000 child beauty pageants are held each year in the United States. More than 250,000 children, with 100,000 under the age of 12, participate each year. This industry has grown to over $5 billion dollars in profits. Pageant categories typically include: formal wear, sportswear or casual wear, a photogenic category (based solely on headshot pictures), and an interview. Some pageants even include modeling, talent, and swimwear.

There are many different opinions on pageants. Many critics say that it teaches these young girls, and sometimes boys, that they are nothing without the fake hair, makeup, and fancy clothes. They point out that these pageants are beyond playing dress-up at home with mommy’s clothes. Some also say that these pageants strip the children of their innocence and the proper life experiences, such as wearing their first formal gown to prom. Some even say that it sexualizes little girls. Other critics point out that the young girls are often competing in order to please their mothers and not because they enjoy it.

Another critique some have is over the cost. Pageants tend to be very expensive. Entry fees can cost as much as $1,000. Custom gowns (see picture to left) typically run from $1,500 to $2,000, but some admit to spending up to $12,000 on one single dress. Other costs include travel and hotel expenses, pageant coaches, talent classes, hair, and makeup. Some parents even go as far as fake teeth. It has been reported that some parents have even lost their homes because of loans they took out to pay for pageant expenses.

Supporters of the child pageants see the complete opposite. They see these pageants as beneficial, if not more, as other sports. Supporters believe these pageants teach valuable lessons in life. They believe these children are learning how to win and lose with grace. They also believe that they are learning public speaking skills, poise, confidence, good sportsmanship, self-control, and self-discipline. Other benefits include stimulation of the imagination and promotion of friendships. Many supporters validate their child’s participation by stating that they are simply exercising their desire to perform. Parents claim that pageant participation helps prepare these children for the real world.

I do not see the motivation to parade your child around in front of a crowd with pounds of make-up and feet of fake hair. I’m not saying these pageants do not have benefit, but if they are truly meant to boost self-esteem why not the natural look? Why is there a need for $1,500 gowns and extensions? I do understand that these pageants teach the children to speak well and follow direction, but I think they really take it overboard. In my opinion (which is solely my opinion) these girls are being exploited to fulfill their mother’s dreams. I do not think a 4 year old has the willpower to participate in these competitions or stand up to their mothers and voice their opinion against it. (see picture to the right) I can see the relevance for a 12 year old to participate if they choose. Once again, if the point is to gain self-esteem then what is the need for 10 pounds of make-up and fake hair? I think these pageants are over done and distasteful. Sorry if I offend someone, but this is once again my opinion!

Citations:

Child beauty pageants. (2010, January 11). Facts on File News Services. Retrieved March 16, 2010 from Issues and Controversies database.

Picture Citations:

I Don’t Want Lipstick. Collins, M. Toddlers and tiaras: when bad parents make good television. Best Week Ever. Retrieved March 16, 2010 from http://www.bestweekever.tv/2009-08-13/toddlers-tiaras-when-bad-parenting-makes-for-great-television/.

Pageant Child. Collins, M. Toddlers and tiaras: when bad parents make good television. Best Week Ever. Retrieved March 16, 2010 from http://www.bestweekever.tv/2009-08-13/toddlers-tiaras-when-bad-parenting-makes-for-great-television/.

Toddlers and Tiaras. Collins, M. Toddlers and tiaras: when bad parents make good television. Best Week Ever. Retrieved March 16, 2010 from http://www.bestweekever.tv/2009-08-13/toddlers-tiaras-when-bad-parenting-makes-for-great-television/.