Children
are hurt when adults treat them as simply "miniature
adults".
The offenders range from local music stores that sell children
pornographic CDs to well-dressed Channel One executives from Madison
Avenue that have declared commercial war on schoolchildren.
Obligation seeks to empower citizens with the resources they need
to protect children from the popular culture.
We have allowed our children's world to become toxic - that means we can unallow it.
Obligation is a Birmingham, Alabama-based, nonprofit, child advocacy
organization.
Jim Metrock, President
Mrs. Pat Ellis, Education Director
Obligation's Purpose
Obligation exists to remind businesses and governments of their
responsibility to children.
Obligation will only take on battles that we can win. There will
be no tilting at windmills. We are local in nature.
We concentrate our efforts in Alabama, although our website may
be of use to others across the country.
We care only about what harms children, not adults. If it is good
for children, we will promote it; if it harms children, we will
change it.
Television is one of our primary concerns because of its great
impact on children.
Obligation has become very involved in television issues. That
will remain a major focus of our organization. Our popular culture
basically comes through the television screen. Its influence is
tremendous. Obligation will empower citizens with information that
will enable them to make television better for children.
Improving public education is also important to Obligation.
One clear message Obligation seeks to convey to businesses and
governments is simple - If you must err, err on the side of protecting
children too much or teaching them too much or caring for them
too much. If it is age-inappropriate for children, and adults are
making money off of it, then Obligation will be there to remind
those involved of their responsibility to children.
We will "tell on them" as children might say.
The Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
awarded Obligation's president Jim Metrock its 1999 Child Advocate of the Year
Award.
September 24, 1999
" I am deeply honored by this award and I am greatly encouraged
because the people giving it are the ultimate child advocates.
This will help Obligation gets its message out to parents and other
concerned Alabamians that they can change the toxic popular culture
that inundates Alabama's children."
" I am gratified by the support Obligation has received from
virtually all categories of Alabama citizenry - parents, grandparents,
teachers, clergy, legislators, civic and business leaders, and
our state's pediatricians."
Jim Metrock, President of Obligation, Inc. |
