Parenting in the age of neoliberalism: how extrinsic values have reshaped childhood

As I dutifully re-read the Paw Patrol book thrust into my hands by my three-year-old for what felt like the hundredth time that day, I found myself skipping over the section where the cartoon canine heroes receive “brand new trucks” and uniforms before embarking on their rescue mission. The jarring consumerism embedded in a children’s […]

Breaking the ouroboros* and ushering in new possibilities

Like many folks, I’m drawn to the much-quoted phrase by author, speaker and teacher, Bayo Akomolafe: “the time is very urgent – we must slow down”. (This piece by Bayo and co-author Marta Benavides, from which the phrase originates, is so wonderful and I implore you to read it!). This phrase encompasses a quiet but […]

Are the values we instill in our children leading us towards a sustainable future?

In 2009, the children’s marketing sector was worth £100bn – and it’s still growing. A significant portion of this total is spent on food marketing, predominantly promoting energy dense, low-nutrient food and beverages – typically unhealthy for children, but marketed to exaggerate health claims – and messaging (often with the help of celebrities) to suggest […]

Skip to content