McDonald's Attracts Children
McDonald’s fast food restaurants are beginning to take over the United States and children’s minds. Children are becoming addicted to McDonald’s at a young age and are being pulled in by McDonald’s advertisements, especially their commercials. According to a study done by students at Yale, McDonald’s main customers are children and their main profit. A majority of their commercials specifically target African American and Hispanic children. Through my research I have found this to be a common theme, also I analyzed a commercial for more proof.
A commercial that was aired for quite some time and was extremely popular was McDonald’s commercial called “Cha Cha Slide”. This commercial includes a normal, fit, upper middle-class, African American family of four eating a McDonald’s at the dinner table. The youngest child, a boy, walks in late carrying a boom box on his shoulder representing power, choice, and rebellion. It represents power and choice by how it is held up on his should and how he is in control of the music. While, it represents rebellion by how he walks in late, also his yellow sweat suit and loud music illustrate the rebellious urban culture. The song the Cha Cha slide is an upbeat and energetic song that was being played from the boom box. It is a commonly known song by the current generation; the lyrics tell you step-by-step directions of how to dance to this specific beat. It is an easy to learn, catchy song that can appeal to even the youngest of children. This song was chosen because it is well known as well as easy to learn.
The boy then enters the room and sets the radio down on the table where his family is eating their McDonald’s meals. Until he walks in, the family members have happy expressions on their faces and are enjoying their meals in their suburban setting home. As soon as he comes in the room their expressions turn to that of disgust because of his lower class urban attitude in their upper middle-class suburban home. This rebellious, urban style is very appealing to young people as they see it as cool and trendy.
While at the table, he dances while he eats and his parents still seem to be in shock that this is even happening to their son. Eventually, as he is dipping his healthy apple slices in sugar ridden caramel sauce his father starts to bob his head along with the song. Then, the whole family gets into it and it shows the message that a McDonald’s meal bringing them together.
Children look up to this boy because of how he is dressed, his boom box, and his rebellious nature. But at the same time, he brought his family together which anybody no matter their age can appreciate. Children look up to their parents and want to impress them and make them proud. As he impresses his dad without even saying a single word, this commercial portrays the message that any regular kid can impress his family with the help of McDonald’s. McDonald’s wants children to look up to this boy and try to act like him. If he can do all of that and look cool, and impressive doing it so can they by going to McDonald’s.
A commercial that was aired for quite some time and was extremely popular was McDonald’s commercial called “Cha Cha Slide”. This commercial includes a normal, fit, upper middle-class, African American family of four eating a McDonald’s at the dinner table. The youngest child, a boy, walks in late carrying a boom box on his shoulder representing power, choice, and rebellion. It represents power and choice by how it is held up on his should and how he is in control of the music. While, it represents rebellion by how he walks in late, also his yellow sweat suit and loud music illustrate the rebellious urban culture. The song the Cha Cha slide is an upbeat and energetic song that was being played from the boom box. It is a commonly known song by the current generation; the lyrics tell you step-by-step directions of how to dance to this specific beat. It is an easy to learn, catchy song that can appeal to even the youngest of children. This song was chosen because it is well known as well as easy to learn.
The boy then enters the room and sets the radio down on the table where his family is eating their McDonald’s meals. Until he walks in, the family members have happy expressions on their faces and are enjoying their meals in their suburban setting home. As soon as he comes in the room their expressions turn to that of disgust because of his lower class urban attitude in their upper middle-class suburban home. This rebellious, urban style is very appealing to young people as they see it as cool and trendy.
While at the table, he dances while he eats and his parents still seem to be in shock that this is even happening to their son. Eventually, as he is dipping his healthy apple slices in sugar ridden caramel sauce his father starts to bob his head along with the song. Then, the whole family gets into it and it shows the message that a McDonald’s meal bringing them together.
Children look up to this boy because of how he is dressed, his boom box, and his rebellious nature. But at the same time, he brought his family together which anybody no matter their age can appreciate. Children look up to their parents and want to impress them and make them proud. As he impresses his dad without even saying a single word, this commercial portrays the message that any regular kid can impress his family with the help of McDonald’s. McDonald’s wants children to look up to this boy and try to act like him. If he can do all of that and look cool, and impressive doing it so can they by going to McDonald’s.