Honey, I Monetized the Kids Again

The girlies revisit a classic early Binchtopia episode to unpack the phenomenon of child-centric content — this time with sources! In Part 1 they discuss the history of child labor in America including the plight of minor miners, the exploitation of Shirley Temple, and why we LOVE watching videos of Trisha Paytas playing with Malibu Barbie. Digressions include Eliza's experience of buying Buddhism in Hollywood, Catholic mantras that go hard, and listener-submitted momager stories.

Binchtopia is created, produced, and hosted by Julia Hava and Eliza McLamb. This episode was edited by Allison Hagan.

SOURCES:

History of child labor in the United States—part 1: little children working

History of child labor in the United States–part 2: the reform movement

There's No Business Like Show Business: Child Entertainers and the Law

More Than Pocket Money: A History of Child Actor Laws

Little Miss Fix-It: The Remarkable Life of Shirley Temple

Before The Good Ship Lollipop, Shirley Temple Did 'Baby Burlesks'

How cute things hijack our brains and drive behaviour

Assessing the cuteness of children: Significant factors and gender differences

Gendering Cuteness

Our Aesthetic Categories: Zany, Cute, Interesting