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U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

"Wrong Turn on Sharing" - NY Kids' Group Takes Car Company to Task

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Monday, August 2, 2010   

NEW YORK - A print advertisement for a minivan has a New York children's advocacy group crying foul over its bold-print headline, "Teach your Kids Not to Share." The Volkswagen ad appears in "Family Circle Magazine."

Dana Friedman, president of the Early Years Institute, says her group fired off a letter to the carmaker to let it know the company is sending wrong messages about kids watching TV, childhood obesity and the importance of sharing.

"Here is the combo of a company advertising how wonderful it is to stay in the car, watch videos, don't even look out the window - and on top of it, the headline of the ad is 'Teach Your Kids Not to Share.'"

Friedman says her organization got an immediate response from Volkswagen headquarters in Virginia, assuring them that the company would look into the matter, but to date, that's all they've heard. The Early Years Institute is asking Volkswagen to stop the ad campaign.

The "Teach Your Children Not to Share" headline refers to the advantages of each child having his or her own TV in the back seat. While that may cut down on squabbling, Friedman says the message shortchanges kids, especially when it comes to sorely-needed social skills.

"They're really missing out on foundational learning. All the negotiating skills they would do with other children - if two kids want to play the same game, who goes first? - are learning to get along with others."

Friedman says the ad sends the wrong message at a time when some kids average more than seven hours a day in front of a screen, and half of all 2-year-olds have a television in their bedroom.

"The ad takes advantage, unfortunately, of something the advertiser may not be aware of: There is a real crisis in this country about the amount of screen time that children are spending viewing and how much that means they're not doing other things that are more beneficial to their health and development."

The ad is on page 18 of the Aug. 10 edition of "Family Circle." Volkswagen did not return calls asking for comment.




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