Is it true that "a tidal wave of marketing [is] aimed at kids"? A study from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that "the average American child sees more than 40 thousand commercials a year." Although this may seem highly questionable, is it really? I actually kept a count of the commercials I watched the other day and in 4 hours I found that I saw a total 115 commercials. But, although "the stuff is all over TV" as Williams, a mother of 5 children puts it, that's still only part of the advertising aimed at kids. What about the celebrity influence or the popular music or even the advertising straight from other student's backs or feet at school?

According to fashion editor Ramon of Teen People Magazine, "the celebrity influence is very big in young people's wardrobes." When you think about this, it may not seem that true. You could argue...