The Other Parent: The Inside Story of the Media's Effect on Our Children

by James P. Steyer, Susan Wels, Chelsea Clinton (Afterword)

Kids must have special rules. It is more than naive to pretend that the market alone will protect them. We recognize this in virtually every sphere of life. Yet in the media, we have stripped away the very rules created to protect them, leaving them almost entirely to the profit-driven manipulations of the free market. THE OTHER PARENT
THE INSIDE STORY OF THE MEDIA'S EFFECT ON OUR CHILDREN James P. Steyer's explosive investigation into how the media affects our children is a groundbreaking book that will shock most parents. Through songs on the radio, Internet access, television, and movies, our kids are learning how to live in an adult world long before they are ready. They are besieged on a daily basis by images of sex, commercialism, and violence via such mainstream programming as Dawson's Creek, films such as American Pie and The Matrix, and computer games such as Doom and Quake. "This is the new media reality," Steyer states, "and it is one most parents are not prepared for." Steyer examines how we have allowed media to bombard our children's lives and he offers practical advice on countering the incessant parade of images that frighten, intrigue, and influence America's

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

278 pages, Hardcover

First published May 20, 2002

Reviews

[Erin L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book at the library because James Steyer's new book "Talking Back to Facebook" isn't available at my library yet. I urge everyone - even people who aren't parents (I'm not) - to read "The Other Parent." ESPECIALLY parents. It will change the way you think about television and what you and your kids are really watching.

It's a thought-provoking book on the profits-driven media conglomerates, the lobbying power they have in Washington, and the resulting motives for what children's programing makes it on air.

There's some really interesting quotes from Rupert Murdoch, which are especially timely in light of the recent newspaper scandal. And this book was written in 2002.

One criticism I have is that the book is 10 years old and outdated. It doesn't address ipods, smart phones, or social media. But, I suppose that's why he recently wrote "Talking Back to Facebook." Another criticism I have of the book is that he seems to keep talking in circles, repeating the same arguments just in a different way. Despite those failings, there is still a lot of valuable insight to be gained in reading. Go read it now.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains a lot of details about the media industry and how we got to where we are today.

Some of the main things I learned are...

...thanks to the Reagan administration and their reign of deregulation, TV gave birth to violent, senseless childrens' shows.

...Government gives away 70 billion in broadcasting to big media. And it's not helping us at all. They don't give away free sectors in digital and otherwise, why media? Ah...I smell a rat.

...progress was made during Clinton's admin, but once again things keep sliding down. This is mostly thanks to whoever is head of the "underground" FCC.

Anyway, this was more involved than I was prepared for, (hence I skimmed a bit) but overall helpful in seeing more of the big picture. Also good to think about the little exposure Little Man gets and what is really appropriate for his age. (Like, none? How is that supposed to work? Heh.) At least the AAP has gotten one thing right.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think every parent should read this book because we live in a country where we are bombarded with media everywhere we turn. I think I was naive about how powerful the media is and how greedy these megacorporations are. Money is always the bottom line, not quality programming. The author gives several recommendations for parents that I think are helpful. Like watching programs together with your kids and discussing what they are trying to tell us. Everything is wrapped up in consumerism, so we need to teach our kids how to interpret what they see. I found myself doing that with Julia today when she saw me flipping through a magazine. She laughed at an ad of kids covered from head to toe in ice cream. I explained that they are trying to get us to buy the laundry detergent.

[Margarita Kotoisuva]

I am currently reading this book and even though I am less than half way through I would suggest that those of you who have kids or planning to have children to consider getting this book to read.

" Everyday your children are bombarded by images of sex, commercialism, and violence-right in your own home. Kids spend more time each week with media than they do with their parents or teachers, and they learn about the adult world - through the influence of TV, the movies, music, computer games, and the internet- long before they're ready"

[Angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Written by CEO and founder of Common Sense Media; read for work purposes. The focus is on holding media companies accountable for the influence of their products on children. It considers the First Amendment a bogus excuse the media industry uses to evade responsibility. It lauds efforts to rate, label, and restrict access from the likes of Tipper Gore, the MPAA, and even the Hays Office back in the 1920s. Full of misleading anecdotes about links between kids' behavior and violent video games, movies, music (Slayer!), etc. Scare tactics galore (Columbine, anyone?). Awful, awful stuff.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a forward from Chelsea Clinton, talking about her experiences with media. It really confirmed my decision to not allow my (almost 2) daughter to watch television at all. He talks about how most kids spend more time "interacting" with media each day than they do with their parents. I thought that was shocking and appalling. The book inspired me to really be conscious of the media I expose my daughter to.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book that argues that our society needs to improve media options for children because they spend so much time with it. While I agree that children's programming is lacking, the author seems to forget that we all have the option of turning it off.

[Michelle Lannoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only a handful of companies control all of the media. Most of it is CRAP. The mindless masses eat it up because its EASY.

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turn off the TV and read good book, or play with your kids.

[Angela]

Bought this at a used bookstore a long time ago. Time to pick it up!

[Franziska · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It dragged just a little at times, but overall this had some fantastic insights, research and facts on the media and how we're affected by it, in particular children.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was suggested in a class this summer. It warns parents about letting kids watch tv, play videio games, listen to current music. A must read for young parents.

[Shellie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I learned a lot about the FCC, government, the media and how they wok and don't work together. That part was great reading, but he goes on and on and the book could have been about 50 pages shorter.

[Stephen Paul Chase, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was only 15 when this book was published in 2002!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!