Kanyi's Photoblog
TAPS (Typical American Parents)
Posted by Rags (Plano, United States) on 30 December 2007 in People & Portrait.
I have noticed that many American parents have the crazy notion that throwing money and gifts at their kids as a compensation for not paying attention to them.
Cell phones also play a good part in keeping many parents from paying more attention to their children.
tyan from Singapore, Singapore
wow i like this pic,so candid and your words,so sharp and poignant!Sadly,it is not just american parents,i think this phenomenon is happening to many parents everywhere,esp developed countries.I have students who change their handphones like they were changing clothes. At least a monthly affair,the newest,the coolest...but gosh,they are so empty in their soul!
30 Dec 2007 7:39am
Craiger from Vacaville, California, United States
Cell phones can be a wonderful tool! But, like anything else, given the chance, we abuse them. Especially the corporations!
30 Dec 2007 7:44am
{H} creatives from Santa Clara, United States
Hi Rags...how true are your words. A spiritual leader once told me: "Toys are words, but playtime are languages for children." We can buy our kids as many toys as their heart desire, but if we never spend the time to play with them, then we simply miss the point of why we should buy them in the first place.
Here's wishing you and yours a blessed season and a prosperous new year! B-) Cheers - {H}
30 Dec 2007 8:36am
the lightwriter from Netherlands
great catch!! your words are so true and do i see a third phone hanging down his sholder?
30 Dec 2007 9:13am
Richard_Irwin from Belper, United Kingdom
Hey, they might be calling eachother......
Good words Rags, and the kids now only talk to eacother through Myspace or text messaging....
30 Dec 2007 10:23am
Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States
Not a very complimentary photo or description, but the message (visual and written) is quite effective. Americans would be wise to heed this observation. But I would also add a word of agreement with tyan, that this phenom is not limited to American parents -- indulged children and self-indulgent parents (or childless adults) come in a wide variety of races and nationalities these days. I notice this as I observe foreign accented tourist battalions, as they spread themselves widely across Florida's not inexpensive vacation playgrounds.
30 Dec 2007 2:47pm
Ken McCoy from Orlando-Daytona Beach, FL, United States
All that intimate communication doesn't seem to be making them very happy. I like the FRS radio on the man's jacket as his backup for when a phone isn't enough :)
30 Dec 2007 5:02pm
Katie from Land of a 1000 palms..., United States
Epitome...This a pretty priceless shot...nice work.
31 Dec 2007 1:20am
baobab from Cambridge, United States
Nice shot Rags... I'd love to know how you sneak up on people and get such candid shots from unexpected angles.
31 Dec 2007 2:13am
Seraphine from San Francisco, United States
The funny thing is, they
are probably talking to
each other. :)
1 Jan 2008 11:50pm
HorseRotorVator from Newton, United States
You hit the nail on the head!!!!! Great capture! :)
3 Jan 2008 3:47pm
Twelvebit from Victoria, United States
Man, do I loathe the intrusion of these phones and the self-absorbed people using them in every public space --but especially in movie theaters. I've even been behind people in the check out line who call their spouse to discuss the purchases they are about to make as the cashier is about to ring the item up.
9 Jan 2008 3:12pm
