I read an article at nytimes.com today regarding Disney's Baby Einstein's educational toys/programs, wherein Disney is issuing a refund to all parents who purchased this program because they hoped their little one would become geniuses, but they didn't! [Article link here http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/24/education/24baby.html ]
Disney offered a refund because of claims being made against them by researchers who conducted studies that proved these "educational' programs did nothing to make babies smarter.
Wow, I mean, wow! I do understand the implications that Disney should not have claim their programs would make babies smarter, but wouldn't the babies need help and guidance from their parents anyway, as they normally would do? Wouldn't you as a parent, sing along and teach your child, showing them differences in whatever it is the program was teaching, thus making your child smarter...as they grow older? Wouldn't you say that is the parent's accountability, not Disney's?
That thought aside, I think to myself, "another stupid lawsuit"! Is this absolutely necessary? Were any children harm in the watching of these videos? Didn't the videos do the simple thing of keeping the baby engaged anyway, which is what (not speaking for them, but as a mom myself) most parents probably wanted?
I would have loved to have heard Disney's defense in detail, how did they defend themselves? What was their reasoning for that type of marketing in the first place? Instead, they just do a "mia culpa"
Accepting accountability is good, apologising, when you are wrong or made a misting is good. Giving in to save face, or to prevent what you think might be a publicity nightmare....always reconsider and think what giving in will cost you in the long run.
While it seems that using the word "educational" in the wrong context may be the only fault, it is pretty sad when "give me my money back or I'll sue you" is the results of what should have been an "educational" study!
Disney offered a refund because of claims being made against them by researchers who conducted studies that proved these "educational' programs did nothing to make babies smarter.
Wow, I mean, wow! I do understand the implications that Disney should not have claim their programs would make babies smarter, but wouldn't the babies need help and guidance from their parents anyway, as they normally would do? Wouldn't you as a parent, sing along and teach your child, showing them differences in whatever it is the program was teaching, thus making your child smarter...as they grow older? Wouldn't you say that is the parent's accountability, not Disney's?
That thought aside, I think to myself, "another stupid lawsuit"! Is this absolutely necessary? Were any children harm in the watching of these videos? Didn't the videos do the simple thing of keeping the baby engaged anyway, which is what (not speaking for them, but as a mom myself) most parents probably wanted?
I would have loved to have heard Disney's defense in detail, how did they defend themselves? What was their reasoning for that type of marketing in the first place? Instead, they just do a "mia culpa"
Accepting accountability is good, apologising, when you are wrong or made a misting is good. Giving in to save face, or to prevent what you think might be a publicity nightmare....always reconsider and think what giving in will cost you in the long run.
While it seems that using the word "educational" in the wrong context may be the only fault, it is pretty sad when "give me my money back or I'll sue you" is the results of what should have been an "educational" study!
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