victoriaelena:

codebluealert:

“The two children are not even at the right age for this kind of relationship,”…

Clearly, the advertisement did not state that the two children are at the appropriate age for that kind of relationship. Based on Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory, children within the age range 4-6 years old are learning to master their own world. At this stage, children have this urge to begin and complete their deeds for specific purpose. Also, independence and courage are established during this stage. In this case, the boy has self-reliantly set standards to meet his personal goal. The girl, on the other hand, has the free will to say what she desires (25-peso French fries). Both children exhibited initiative, which is a crucial part in molding the characters of children who belong in this stage.

“If the ad attempted to teach commitment, [it failed] because it was too superficial to point to a packet of French fries as the basis of a relationship.”…

Yes, it may sound too superficial, but you cannot deny the fact that they are mere children. Children within this age range belong to Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory’s Intuitive Stage. This is where they become very curious and make a lot of inquiry regarding random matters. Hence, understanding of causation starts here. They cannot concretely describe what real relationship is and cannot compare relationship to love, passion, and sacrifice because appropriate use of logic occurs between ages 7-11 years old. CBCP’s above-mentioned statement would be more acceptable if the commercial models were teenagers or young adults.

“It’s very shallow … It cheapens human relationships,”…

This is definitely baseless. How can a petty conversation of two children without knowledge regarding the real connotation of love and relationship be cheap? As I’ve said earlier, the logical thinking of these children are not yet developed. Relationship, based on their own understanding, is not about societal standards and profound infatuation. If you are to consider Lawrence Kohlberg’s Moral Development Theory, children within this age range belong to Pre-Conventional Level Stage 2 where they carry out actions to merely satisfy personal needs rather than society’s. They do not consider deep love, sacrifices, and pain upon perceiving relationship. As well, they still do not know the norms and standards that profound relationship follows.

“[The ad] is not a good sign because it’s toying not with sensuality, but with the emotional and relational bonding of people,” … “twisting the essence of the emotional relationship between a man and woman.”…

I’ll briefly state my contradiction regarding the aforementioned statement. Being a boy is different from being a man. As well, being a girl is different from being a woman.

Unfortunately, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines was not able to see this perspective. They have viewed the advertisement as detrimental and hollow. The advertisement used a child’s point of view; a point of view that is colossally different from an adult’s standpoint.

Hopefully, I’ve clearly expressed my argument.

erikson, piaget, kohlberg…

psych 10 makes sense now..

I personally agree with this. We all have different perceptions regarding that TV ad but definitely a child’s point of view is completely different from an adult’s point of view. Children have a high sense of curiosity during those ages so this is now up to the adults to teach the children what is right. The TV ad cannot corrupt a mind of a child just like that. Besides if that TV ad does have an effect in corrupting the minds of children, even if you remove that TV ad it’s just a small thing. You still have to consider the environment where the child is residing especially the family upbringing. *Sigh* From the looks of it, I think nowadays they [CBCP] cannot even tell what is malicious and what is not anymore. It just makes me sad.