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Using dinner break to break commercialization's hold on kids
Posted Online: May 30, 2009, 12:00 am
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By Claudia Loucks correspondent@qconline.com
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MOLINE – Co-pastors at First Baptist Church in Moline have issued an ''SOS'' for an upcoming ''SSS'' meeting. The Rev. Debbie Miller and her husband, the Rev. Flint Miller, will host a soup, salad and sandwich -- ''SSS'' -- potluck supper at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 31, at the church, at 1901 29th St., Moline. They'll ask people to bring enough 'S's' for themselves and others and urge them to help avoid commercialization concerns. A documentary film titled ''Consuming Kids – The Commercialization of Childhood'' will be shown after dinner. Doug McCollum, a psychologist with Riverbend Psychological Association of the Quad Cities, introduced the film to the Millers, who have endorsed and promoted the film locally since seeing the movie trailer and related Web site. Another film, titled ''Dr. Doug Answers the Questions Parents Need to Know about the Media,'' produced by the Iowa Psychological Foundation, was distributed to Quad-Cities schools, too. Dr. McCollum and the Millers also will lead a question-and-answer time after the film. "The film is a powerful look at how corporations relentlessly target children and the impact of marketing on children," Rev. Debbie Miller said. It's a big concern to her, from a pastor's, counselor's and parent's perspective, she said. ''I have noticed a change in our society that reflects the influence of media on families and the home,'' Rev. Miller said. ''I have two teenage sons who are being impacted to become a consumer.'' They also are trying to fit into American culture, since the Miller family had lived in the Philippines, until coming to Moline last year. Her sons, particularly at school, have realized some big differences between life in the Philippines and here, Rev. Miller said. American television, for example, plays a larger role, she said. ''This ‘out of control" media influence without federal regulation leaves parents asking the questions, ‘who is really raising my kids' and ‘Do I have any influence or power left?" I have experienced the hopelessness and desperation of our generation of youth as well as families searching for answers when the culture has led them astray,'' she said. Issues of obesity or other eating disorders, sexual behavior, substance abuse and anxiety/depression have grown among younger generation members. ''The high tech society and culture can leave a vacuum of emptiness in the lives of kids and families,'' she said. ''Those influences are trying to turn children into adults much too soon,'' she said. ''The Internet and television are trying to make teens into super stars at an early age.'' Educating parents and caregivers of children as well as teachers is crucial, she said. ''I personally believe in partnering with other churches, agencies, professionals and schools in order to be equipped for a healthier and more productive life for all people. We hope other churches in the area will offer to show this film, and be proactive for this relevant cause.'' For information about either film, call Mr. McCollum at (309) 762-3931 or use his douglas_mccollum@sbcglobal.net e-mail address. For information about the ''SSS'' potluck event, call the church at (309) 517-9949. 
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