The idea that a baby's education begins in the cradle was popularized in the post-WW II baby boom, and provided a huge market for just the right stimulating toy at every stage of development. It also provided experts with ample opportunity to micromanage every element of mother's behavior toward her child. Mothers are isolated, then they are hit hard by the marketers for the toy and baby product industry. Indeed, many of the gadgets are useful and sensible to own. As a parent I know that much of what is available in the marketplace can facilitate the work of raising children.
Products can bring enjoyment, educational value, or ease daily life with kids.
In this day and age, while moms and dads largely struggle in isolation from each other and from community support systems that once might have been there to relieve self-doubt and offer guidance, we shop for our parenting supports. In doing so, we pass consumption values onto our children, training them in the ways of a throwaway society and readying them to be little shoppers who believe that products determine our identities and are capable of solving our problems. The Crib As A Form Of Social Control Cribs have not always been considered the most essential piece of baby furniture you could own. Throughout human history, babies have, for the vast majority of the time, slept with their parents. In this current historical-economic juncture, however, sharing sleep goes decidedly against the ideological grain.