The other day I wrote a post about urban education guiding children towards specific careers, mainly blue-collar jobs that are meant to keep them off the streets. My problem with this method of teaching is that 1) it is based on a consumerist economy and 2) it limits these kids’ interest with the idea that they can’t perform more complicated or intricate tasks that would lead them down a higher achieving career path. Yet, what really enforced my belief behind allowing all children to explore more options is an article I read at Grist.org a couple of days ago. It was entitled “Ponziconomy: Our Global Pyramid Scheme.”

The imagery in this movie poster encourages people to continue with their obession. (I didn't see this movie, but I know in the end she turns her life around).

The main topic of this article was how our mega-consumer based economy was exploiting our resources to the point of a potential no-return option. Basically, we aren’t paying enough money for the items we consume. The reason we aren’t paying enough for these items, is that our economy is based on a never-ending consumption model. This really caught my attention, again thinking about how children of today will have to pay dearly in the future for the mistakes we are currently making. If we don’t arm our children with higher-level, critical thinking, and problem solving skills, they will be completely at a loss in the future. And our problems will just continue in a never-ending cycle towards oblivion.

I’m not necessarily saying that we must depend on the future generation to clean up our mess. I think that as a country, as an economy, and as individuals, we need to begin changing our lifestyles and our consumer ways now. It’s much easier to teach by example than to tell children, “Do as I say, not as I do.” Some ideas I’ve outlined below are a good start for teaching a more sustainable economy and lifestyle to children. If adults can follow these steps themselves, then children will more likely imitate them:

• Purchase items that are necessities and limit frivolous expenses.
• Reduce the quantity of ’stuff’ and in doing so, you limit the amount of trash created.
• Purchase and use reusable bags for shopping (keep some in the car, near the door, in your purse).
• Recycle cans and bottles, turn them in for cash value. Place that cash in a ’savings’ jar or piggy bank for one special item.
• Purchase and use a reusable, bpa-free, water bottle. This can easily fit inside a reusable lunchbox.
• Recycle clothing and breathe new life into it by sewing patches and embellishments on stains or holes. This extends the life of clothing, especially if the item gets handed down to another child in the family.
• Walk, ride a bike, or take public transportation whenever and where ever you can. Today’s kids are at a loss for navigating their own neighborhoods, this will build up navigation skills and get them outside and keep them active.
• Limit the amount of television for the whole family. So many commercials are full of crap (excuse my language) and encourage our consumer-based economy. Things don’t make you happy, experiences do. Play a board game instead, or go outside and play with a Frisbee, or read a book to one another.

These are just some ideas that will help reduce the amount of items we consume. The last bullet point I mention helps kids build those problem-solving skills and encourages them to think outside the box, instead of vegging-out in front of one.

Are their some points I’ve left out that readers would like to add? Does anyone agree or disagree with the exploitation of our natural resources through our consumer-based economy? Please feel free to add your comments, I truly appreciate them.