Friday, April 6, 2007

A8: "Wanted: a big who likes to be outside"

Does anyone else find it a little embarrassing that we're advertising children for 'adoption' (sub req) in much the same way that the Humane Society advertises homeless dogs? It makes one wonder whether the little sloe-eyed waif is in line for the gas chamber at the end of the week.

It took me a minute to figure out that the headline isn't missing a word. I think I'd have done something more to make it flow, either capitalize 'big' or set it in quotes.

3 comments:

leftturnclyde said...

I have no subscription..I cant comment...

Anonymous said...

embarrassing, yes. but i think it's worth the space if it's an effective way to get some focused adult attention on the kids who want it.

Steven Ayres said...

I take your point that the intent makes it worth the space. Social connections made on the basis of information carried in the paper can be important to people's lives. I just gotta think that there's a better, more dignified way to write it or approach this challenge. The child becomes something of a consumer commodity in this frame, and I can imagine that the inquiries it generates are largely "impulse buyers" if you will, people who are not really thinking through what they're taking on.

There's a good story idea: how many would-be 'bigs' wash out of the screenings and why? What's the success rate on these relationships? The result might help motivate more qualified people to get involved.