Children and the culture of infancy

Imbecilogic

Children
and the culture of infancy

By
Omar Pérez

We
do not know a culture of infancy because a culture of infancy does
not exist. What is propounded as such is an imposition and the
invention of grown-ups. Something similar to what happens to feminine
things when it comes to femininity: we men impose the length of the
feet, the way to walk and the height of the heels. Left-handed
people, sinistral as they are, must live in a dextral world. Cultures
of exception are cultures of subordination.

The
children have been kidnapped in our own idealization of infancy:
nostalgic and idyllic, always authoritarian and condescending,
creating addicts and addictions, with false tastes, with heroes made
of magnetic cardboard. The true Hercules is Master Card, and the
clowns with whom parents try to amuse their children at birthday
parties are social aides who impart the first rudiments of
organization and promotion. Happy birthday to you! When you grow up,
you’ll be one more link in the productive chain.