Chapter 13 Summary and Analysis

Applied Poverty: Education

Cryless Babies: Playing without Toys

Children are taught to want for things at a very young age. They quickly learn than they often get what they want when they cry. Philosopher John Locke (1632-1704) cautions against spoiling children by teaching them to expect more and want the "finer" things in life. A little girl receives positive feedback from her mother when she wears a new dress. The mother calls her little princess or little queen. The mother is teaching her to admire herself, especially when she is wearing fine clothing. Children should be taught that clothing is for warmth and protection and modesty. Surya Prem, 1965, puts it simply: "Teach children to want little while they are little" (274). Emerson asserts that children living in a sea of dolls and toys are not taught to love nature—they ignore...