Valéria Lima
My generation is known as being skeptical, and I know why. If it’s up to me, the new generation will be even more skeptical than us.
Growing up, I remember that most of what aired on TV consisted of contests and commercials. You know, those contests in which you had to send a letter in, to win a house, a car, a year of groceries, and other prizes.
But really, does anybody know anyone who ever won a house or a car, in one of those contests sponsored by the Margarine brands?
My entire life, my father tried to win something. He never did.
I think that if we compiled all the money he spent in those 40 years of bets, we could at least make one of his dreams come true. The same dreams he thought he would realize by winning a prize on those shows.
I’ve never bought a lottery ticket. I’ve never believed in that. I’m the type who’s got to see it to believe it.
My daughter, who is now 7, is already beginning to be seduced by empty TV promises, and magazine contests. The quantity of TV promotions and contests greatly decreased, compared to when I was a child. Maybe Generation X’s skepticism is partly responsible for this.
But kids are still confronted by these contests. It’s just that the manner in which they reach kids is different. Instead of the TV, it’s all about texts, and the Internet. Yet, the general idea is still the same.
It’s still, “send in a drawing, and win a videogame.” “Write a creative sentence and win a trip.”
I know that I may be stunting my daughter’s imagination, but I tell it to her like it is. I just say, “Lara, it’s all lies, I’m going to work hard to buy everything you want, through me it’s guaranteed.”
Her face clearlyreveals the disappointment, but I don’t see any other way to go about this. I can’t feed this illusion.
I’d rather feel her skin, a little firmer and stronger, confronted by reality, than fuel these sorts of illusions. After all, thesecontests are strategically constructed by advertisers, to captivate poor little kids, and sometimes even adults too.
If somebody out there knows anybody, like a neighbor, a cousin, an aunt, etc, who has ever won something through one of these shows, like a house or a car, please write to me. I mean maybe I’m being a little too harsh on the kid.
If I don’t see my best friend winning everything on “Caminhão do Faustão,” or getting her house remodeled on “Extreme Makeover,” I’m going to keep being the skeptical one, who works hard to accomplish her dreams.I’ve made most of my dreams come true. I’m skeptical for a lot of things. But I really believe that through hard work I’ll realize my dreams.
