Thanksgiving, a day where America celebrates freedom and family, has been disturbed due to a frenzy starting earlier and earlier every year… Black Friday.

The day after Thanksgiving should be one of celebration for family and joy, not a day that glorifies fighting over the newest iPad or Disney toy.

Imagine the emptiness felt by a child as they are left behind by parents, grandparents, and older siblings who spend their day off ravenously tracking down the discounted items. This sharp contrast between peaceful gatherings and catastrophic chaos cannot be processed correctly in the mind of a child.

The one day everyone can join together and truly cherish each other is curtailed by unnecessary competitiveness for the newest addition in the world of children’s entertainment. Family is quickly forgotten after being stuffed with turkey and is replaced by a ravenous hunger for savings.

Additionally, Black Friday is being celebrated as a holiday within itself. The advertisements and propaganda are insanely prominent as if it were Christmas. The overwhelming opportunities for the savings are saturated in advertisements across all types of media and overshadow family gatherings.

Hours are being taken away from Thanksgiving as the lure for cheaper items weigh heavily on the mind of consumers. Malls are packed with thousands, but dozens may have been there for several hours camping in front.

The competitive nature that exists between stores only fuels tension among customers. The entire experience of Black Friday shopping has always been dangerous, and will always be. This hostile environment cannot prove to be beneficial. According to Black Friday Death Counts, there were 7 deaths and 90 injuries since 2006.  Putting a life on the line is not worth it; even if it is for a deeply discounted toy.

No matter what the discount may be, parents should be a role model in showing the importance of family above all else. One must respect and cherish the family time Thanksgiving provides, because these precious moments are priceless in comparison to manufactured goods.