“For many years now, in all kinds of places and circumstances, I have noticed that most adults around children do not act as people do when they are with people they like, but very much the opposite. They are anxious, irritable, impatient, looking for fault and usually find it.” (P. 66)

My experience while growing up was that this was one of 2 groups of adults. I wouldn’t commit to the thought that most of the adults I knew were this way. The other group really enjoyed being around children. I still think the point that many adults feel this way about children is worth considering.

“There are many good reasons for this resentment and dislike. Until recently, children were less trouble to bring up.” (P. 66)

I think a more significant reason is that many people are not used to children being around them. If they work, they likely work in a place where there are no children. When they were a child, they spent most of their time away from adults other than those appointed to oversee them. I suspect the age segregation that occurs in schools, such that for the 3 or 4 years the average student is high school, older students are rarely around younger children.

“Furthermore, when formerly a child became more help and less trouble as he grew older, today he becomes less help and more trouble. Everything he needs, uses, or wants costs more as he gets older…” (P. 70)

Since this was written, marketing campaigns for many products have been adjusted to appeal to this consumer group. Although I don’t have the statistics to back it up, I would not be surprised to find that our consumption based economy is dependent on this consumer group.

UPDATE from Andrea: I did a quick search and found the following:

“Marketing to kids” in Milling & Baking News weekly, Oct. 4, 1994, p. 1, 20-26. Notes role of children in influencing $100 billion in food sales, 17% to 20% growth yearly in this influence, effects of changing roles of women combined with greater responsibility of children for their own food consumption decisions. Notes beginnings of brand loyalty among children as early as age 2, introduction of at least 650 food and grocery products for children over past five years. Cites growth of strategic alliances between child-oriented foods and media events or products such as movies, television programs, sportswear, and use of special child-oriented packaging and promotions. Notes influence of Food Guide Pyramid graphic in schools. (link)