Talking Points #4

Unlearning the Myths that bind us: Linda Christensen

Christensen argues that through secret education such as the media, television shows, movies children are being taught and manipulated to think a certain way about themselves, people issues, sex, the world and race. These influences of secret education are teaching children that this is how the world should be and if that child is not like that they are automatically considered and outsider (others'). Thus, children believe that they need to dress and look a certain way to be considered normal or popular. This secret education manipulates the childrens thoughts, decisions, and actions. Therefore as a result children always think there is going to be a happy ending, that magic does exist, anything can come true, this education pulls children away from the real world(reality) and that life isn't always what we've planned or hope for.


1. “Many students don't want to believe that they have been manipulated by children's media or advertising. No one wants to admit that they've been "handled" by the media. They assure me that they make their own choices and the media has no power over them.”



2. "Happiness means getting a man and transformation from wretched conditions can be achieved through consumption in Cinderella's case, through new clothes and a new hairstyle."



3. “Because we can never look like Cinderella, we begin to hate ourselves. The Barbie syndrome starts as we begin a lifelong search for the perfect body. Crash diets, fat phobias, and an obsession with materialistic become commonplace.”