Now to the casual (and possibly public schooled) observer, this would just look like your average razor ad, no big deal. And it wouldn't be a huge deal, except for these six words: "This is NOT your parent's razor!". I took this screen shot right before clicking the little "X" at the top right of the ad and when it asked why I wanted to remove it, I labeled it "Offensive". And it was, to sheltered, home schooled, Christ loving me. I love my parents, a LOT, and would be proud to say "I use a razor that is identical to the one my Dad uses". Even though it's not the newest, or most expensive, or the "Coolest way to shave". It cuts off the little bit of scruff that I have, and that's good enough for me!
But aside from the razor business, what is this ad communicating? 150 years ago most people would have seen the message that they were portraying, other then, "Buy me", They're saying, "You don't need your parents razor, your parents razor stinks!!!! Get this new one that's soooo much better!!!". Now you may say that I'm reading between the lines a little too much, and that that's not what they were trying to say. And on one hand, you would be right, but it's the policy of the matter. They probably would have used a different catch phrase if the culture was one that respected our parents and our parents ideas and ways of thinking. For example, if we lived in a parent honoring society, they might have said something like "Try the best new razor in the US! Your parents will be amazed!
But not so today. Now kids are segregated off to they're respective school rooms at 5 years of age, and from then on taught that they are part of a neighborhood, of a peer group, and that parents are "Old fashioned", and "Out dated". They should go to they're friends for advice, not the wiser generations that have been around for many more years.
Remember Rehoboam (1 kings 12)? What did he do? When the people asked him to lighten they're burdens, he consulted the wise older men, who suggested that he listen to the people. Then his friends or "Peers", and they said he should make they're burdens heavier. And what happened to him because he listened to his friends? He lost almost all of Israel.
So let us honor, respect and love our parents, with all our being. With out your parents, there is no you! Thanks Mom and Dad!!! Love you!
Very good post! Well said, and it's true to. Schools make kids lose respect for their parents.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI found your blog recently, and have enjoyed what posts there are. As a current public school student who was home schooled until high school, I can say that you are correct in that there are more people in public school who do not honor their parents (you're mom jokes, etc)than in home schools. Now, I know you probably didn't mean to disrespect or put yourself above public school students (it's easy for me, even as one, to do the same to my peers) but not all public school students are like that! As I've found, there is more to most of them than meets the eye, and i am still learning that.
-Grace
P.S. nice incite, though. Public school can make you loose respect for your parents, and it is quite a disrespectful add.
Wow...
ReplyDeleteYou're getting lots of people on your blog, Paul.
As far as this post...well, I agree with you, but I think it's funny that you chose a razor of all things to write about.
A tag line like "not your parent's _____" for a razor, of all things, has got to be a spoof; but you are absolutely right that our culture is so wrapped up in despising the older generation (which, incidentally, is the people with all the wisdom for US to glean) that it's all over...even on ads.
I do think that the meaning of "not your parents' razor" is more to indicate that the razor is outdated, not the parents. But like you said, it's the policy of the matter.
Good post.
~Pe†er
PS
If you don't want to end up like Josh, with a million followers, you might want to take your blog off search engines.
That is a great post. Thanks for sharing:-)
ReplyDelete~Maya'lee