1960s Quote by Pete Hautman
““...TV was entertainment of the last resort. There was nothing on during the day in the summer other than game shows and soap operas. Besides, a TV-watching child was considered available for chores: take out the trash, clean your room, pick up that mess, fold those towels, mow the lawn... the list was endless. We all became adept at chore-avoidance. Staying out of sight was a reliable strategy. Drawing or painting was another: to my mother, making art trumped making beds. A third choir-avoidance technique was to read. A kid with his or her nose in a book is a kid who is not fighting, yelling, throwing, breaking things, bleeding, whining, or otherwise creating a Mom-size headache. Reading a book was almost like being invisible - a good thing for all concerned.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Yorker, 2002
It reflects on how children used chores, art, and reading as ways to avoid being seen on TV, turning invisibility into a coping mechanism.
In simple terms: Kids used chores, art, and reading to stay out of TV’s view.
Key Takeaway
Find productive outlets to escape unwanted attention.
Themes
avoidance
childhood
media
Mood
nostalgic
thoughtful
Type
cultural
psychological
When to use this quote
- assigning chores to kids
- encouraging reading
- promoting art projects
Key Concepts
coping strategies
creative distraction
Questions to Reflect On
- What activities help you feel unseen when needed?
- How does avoidance affect long‑term growth?
A Different Perspective
May romanticize avoidance over confronting issues.
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![“[In the 1960s]...you could take LSD but you couldn't wear a pantsuit.” quote by Betsey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/29a/betsey-johnson-11907_1960s_in-the-1960s-you-could-take-lsd-but-you_14174.jpg)
