How Children and family affect consumer behavior. The influence of children on purchase desisions.

Essay by Ry939University, Bachelor's September 2003

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In the world of advertising and marketing, children are the targets. For many reasons, children are exerting a greater and greater influence on family buying decisions. Advertisers know that the money is in the hands of the children. As their economic muscle grows, so does a marketer's focus. Understanding how and why a child influences purchasing decisions is important to marketing and business today. If marketers want to be successful they need to look to the children. Kids have a world of power in their small hands. The objective of this paper to demonstrate the cause and effect children have to family decisions, consumer behavior, business, and marketing.

The Research Shows... The numbers grow!

Within the past ten years, there has been a substantial change in family role structure and family purchasing decisions. Businesses have taken notice and the changes are reflected in today's marketplace. Product development, services and marketing practices have educated themselves and evolved to respond to new family dynamics.

The children's market is growing consistently both demographically and in purchasing power. Marketing to children is not just for breakfast cereal anymore. Purchasing decisions are results of many influences including buying habits, peers, and family structure. Children are important family members and have considerable influence in determining what their family purchases. It is imperative that marketers remain aware of the impact of these changes, the great effect they have on consumer purchasing patterns, and to perfect their marketing strategies accordingly.

Including children in advertisements is only one dimension. More and more manufacturers are reaching beyond television and radio. Nissan sponsors the American Youth Soccer Organization, Chrysler distributes colorful pop up books through direct mail, and Burger King and McDonalds have their "kid's meals". Pizza Hut gives free personal pan pizzas to children who participate in DEAR- "...